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How do I Choose the Best Mycoplasma Treatment?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Mycoplasma actually refers to over 100 organisms that can cause human infection, but when most people refer to this bacterium, they are referencing the very common mycoplasma pneumoniae, which results in an illness called atypical or walking pneumonia. This illness is uncomfortable, but generally less severe than other forms of pneumonia. Treatment is variable, ranging from the "do-nothing" approach to treating with specific forms of antibiotics. When mycoplasma treatment does include antibiotics, they must be specifically selected because many ordinary types don’t target these bacteria very well due to their structure. Other forms of treatment are supportive in nature and could help alleviate symptoms of discomfort.

There is no single best mycoplasma treatment. Doctors assess each patient and determine which treatments are most appropriate. Some physicians prefer to let a patient with mild walking pneumonia simply recover. On the other hand, this form of bacteria can rapidly spread to other people and it can cause some people to become very ill. Preference may be to attack mycoplasma with antibiotics, instead.

Chicken soup might be a good homemade mycoplasma treatment.
Chicken soup might be a good homemade mycoplasma treatment.

Since mycoplasma doesn’t have cell walls, it won’t respond to antibiotics that target cell wall structures. Prescribing any of the cephalosporins or common drugs like penicillin and ampicillin are inappropriate. Instead, when mycoplasma treatment is principally through use of antibiotics to shorten infection time, doctors must turn to other groups of drugs.

Over-the-counter fever reducers can be taken with mycoplasma.
Over-the-counter fever reducers can be taken with mycoplasma.

Mycoplasma treatment medicines that appear to be most effective include erythromycin, and drugs like Zithromax® which is related. Doxycycline is also an adequate choice. In most cases, these drugs help more quickly resolve infection, which can increase patient comfort and lower the risk that infection will be passed to others.

A variety of supportive mycoplasma treatment strategies could also be employed. Walking pneumonia often causes cough and may result in symptoms like tiredness, fever, headache, sore throat, and aching chest from persistent coughing. Over the counter pain relief and fever reducing medicines can be utilized to address headache, soreness, and fever.

Walking pneumonia can cause a persistent cough and chest ache.
Walking pneumonia can cause a persistent cough and chest ache.

The most challenging symptom of atypical pneumonia is the worsening cough, which can exacerbate other things like sore chest and headache. It also may rob people of sleep. Doctors might prescribe cough suppressants as part of mycoplasma treatment, especially for use at night. Codeine cough syrup could be considered, but cough syrups aren’t usually recommended during the day because cough can help clear the lungs of infection.

Mycoplasma treatment medicines that appear to be most effective include erythromycin.
Mycoplasma treatment medicines that appear to be most effective include erythromycin.

Home mycoplasma treatment includes rest and adequate nutrition. Drinking plenty of fluids and indulging in “home cures” like chicken soup may be useful. Though this disease may continue for up to six weeks, most people are better in two to three weeks, if they get medical attention right away. Antibiotic mycoplasma treatment, if the right drugs are used, does appear to effectively shorten illness time for most patients, and supportive treatments can increase comfort.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

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Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon150045

My daughter was diagnosed with Mycoplasma. At the same time my grandson has been sick with a cold and running nose. he is still in school and the doctor advised my daughter to carry him back to the doctor for further testing. And he told her that this is contagious so until her can get back to the doctor, how would you treat this? by keeping him out of school along with his mother or keep letting him go to school?

My mother is terminally ill. Do you advise to keep the great grandson and granddaughter from around her? What is the time frame from being contagious three to four days or shorter.

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    • Chicken soup might be a good homemade mycoplasma treatment.
      By: ksena32
      Chicken soup might be a good homemade mycoplasma treatment.
    • Over-the-counter fever reducers can be taken with mycoplasma.
      By: JackF
      Over-the-counter fever reducers can be taken with mycoplasma.
    • Walking pneumonia can cause a persistent cough and chest ache.
      By: Lisa F. Young
      Walking pneumonia can cause a persistent cough and chest ache.
    • Mycoplasma treatment medicines that appear to be most effective include erythromycin.
      By: donfiore
      Mycoplasma treatment medicines that appear to be most effective include erythromycin.