A little known sexually transmitted infection could become the next superbug unless people become more vigilant, experts are warning. Mycoplasma genitalium(MG) often has no symptoms but can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, which can leave some women infertile. MG can be missed and if it is not treated correctly, it can develop resistance to antibiotics. TheBritish Association of Sexual Health and HIV is launching new advice. Its draft guidelines detail how best to spot and treat MG.
What is MG?
Mycoplasma genitalium is a bacterium that can cause inflammation of the urethra in men, causing discharge from the penis and making it painful to urinate. In women, it can cause inflammation of the reproductive organs (womb and fallopian tubes) too, causing pain and possibly a fever and some bleeding. You can get it by having unprotected sex with someone who has it. Condoms can prevent this spread. It was first identified in the UK in the 1980s and is thought to affect 1-2% of the general population. MG does not always cause symptoms and will not always need treatment, but it can be missed or mistaken for a different sexually transmitted infection, such as Chlamydia.
The BASHH says this is concerning.
Tests for MG have recently been developed but are not available in all clinics yet although doctors can send samples to Public Health England's laboratory to get a diagnostic result. It can be treated with antibiotics but the infection is developing resistance to some of these drugs.
Pack condomsEradication rates of MG following treatment with one family of antibiotics, called macrolides, are decreasing globally. Macrolide resistance in the UK is estimated at about 40%, say the guidelines.
MG - what to look out for
We are asking the government directly to make this funding available to prevent a public health emergency waiting to happen and which is already spiralling out of control."Public Health England says testing is available to diagnose MG and any signs of drug resistance, if necessary. Dr Helen Fifer, the consultant microbiologist at Public Health England, welcomed the guidelines, adding: "If you have symptoms of an STI, we recommend you get tested at your local sexual health clinic."Everyone can protect themselves from STIs by consistently and correctly using condoms with new and casual partners."
Culled from BBC
What is MG?
Mycoplasma genitalium is a bacterium that can cause inflammation of the urethra in men, causing discharge from the penis and making it painful to urinate. In women, it can cause inflammation of the reproductive organs (womb and fallopian tubes) too, causing pain and possibly a fever and some bleeding. You can get it by having unprotected sex with someone who has it. Condoms can prevent this spread. It was first identified in the UK in the 1980s and is thought to affect 1-2% of the general population. MG does not always cause symptoms and will not always need treatment, but it can be missed or mistaken for a different sexually transmitted infection, such as Chlamydia.
The BASHH says this is concerning.
Tests for MG have recently been developed but are not available in all clinics yet although doctors can send samples to Public Health England's laboratory to get a diagnostic result. It can be treated with antibiotics but the infection is developing resistance to some of these drugs.
Pack condomsEradication rates of MG following treatment with one family of antibiotics, called macrolides, are decreasing globally. Macrolide resistance in the UK is estimated at about 40%, say the guidelines.
MG - what to look out for
We are asking the government directly to make this funding available to prevent a public health emergency waiting to happen and which is already spiralling out of control."Public Health England says testing is available to diagnose MG and any signs of drug resistance, if necessary. Dr Helen Fifer, the consultant microbiologist at Public Health England, welcomed the guidelines, adding: "If you have symptoms of an STI, we recommend you get tested at your local sexual health clinic."Everyone can protect themselves from STIs by consistently and correctly using condoms with new and casual partners."
Culled from BBC
MG: The New Sex Disease In Town
Reviewed by Ridwan
on
July 13, 2018
Rating:
Reviewed by Ridwan
on
July 13, 2018
Rating:
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