Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), also known as Sexually Transmitted infections (STIs) can be both embarrassing and worrisome. Thankfully, most of them are treatable nowadays; except a few exceptions. A new STI is on the rise and might become resistant to most of the antibiotics. Mycoplasma genitalium, a bacterial infection which is also known as MGen, could soon become resistant to antibiotics, according to the British public health officials. If this somehow happens, the bacterium would become a superbug, the ever-expanding class of bacteria that have significantly developed resistance to practically all antibiotic drugs.
This bacterium can live in humans’ genitals and urinary tracts. Worst is that it is transmitted via sexual intercourse.
Women who get infected with this bacterium might experience cervical or pelvic inflammation, while men might experience inflammation in urethra. An infected person would feel pain as a symptom.
The infection sometimes might not even cause any noticeable or apparent symptoms. It implies that an infected people might transmit it without even knowing that they carry this infection. If this disease is left untreated, it may even cause infertility in the female patients.
Know how to treat and prevent MGen Transmission
To somewhat mitigate the emerging threat by MGen, the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) [1] issued draft guidelines for combating MGen. BASHH warned that this antibiotic-resistant MGen might become even more prevalent soon.
In their recommendations, BASHH officials state that MGen generally responds to the treatment including azithromycin which a common antibiotic. However, in certain cases the bacterium was resistant to drugs such as moxifoxacin, particularly in Asia.
Although the disease is now emerging as a matter of great concern, it is not yet enough to make people panic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports [2] that MGen infection is still uncommon in the United States.
Nevertheless, health officials are not taking any chances and asked doctors to treat their patients in various ways to minimize the chances of developing antibiotic-resistant bacteria or superbug. This includes spacing out multiple doses of azithromycin over certain days to ensure that entire population of this bacteria is inhibited. Researchers have observed that using antibiotics for a shorter period may foster significant antibiotic resistance in the bacteria. With the prevalence of super gonorrhea in the U.S., public health officials don’t want to see MGen emerge as a superbug.
Fortunately, it is quite easy to protect yourself from MGen infection. Using condoms during a sexual intercourse can significantly reduce your risk of contracting this infection or any other STI like syphillis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). It is never too much to re-iterate the importance of indulging in safe sex practices.
