Mycoplasma Community Group
Infections with Mycoplasma bacteria are clinically significant but may often be underappreciated and overlooked, and may be difficult to resolve when confirmed. Education, support, and sharing of resources, information and stories, seem in order.
...but I'd like to make doubly sure it has so it doesn't get lost in the future, since I only found this while looking for something totally different.
It seems to try to corroborate something I'd hoped was just a silly worry of mine, namely that since Mycoplasma can steal proteins from the surface of host cells during the process of attempting to fuse with them, that the immune system in the course of making antibodies to Mycoplasma, may be making antibodies to our own proteins, making it a possible source of autoimmune disorders (whereas other infections may be able to cause autoimmune disorders simply because their own proteins may closely resemble ours so that antibodies may recognize both their proteins and ours, known as "molecular mimicry").
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mycoplasma_pneumoniae
"The similarity between the compositions of M. pneumoniae and human cell membranes can also result in autoimmune responses in several organs and tissues.[2]... Extrapulmonary symptoms such as autoimmune responses, central nervous system complications, and dermatological disorders have been associated with M. pneumoniae infections in up to 25% of cases.[2]"
Reference: Waites, Ken B.; Talkington, Deborah F. (2004). "Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Its Role as a Human Pathogen". Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 17 (4): 697–728. doi:10.1128/CMR.17.4.697-728.2004. PMC 523564.
Most recently one of the reasons I've had to give more thought to Mycoplasma infections is that Mycoplasma may be a candidate for a cause of some cases of Tourette's, which I'm currently being treated for (still with mixed results), even if Streptococcal infection might be a more likely cause of many cases of tics or Tourette's.
I've also been reading a few things about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (aka ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease) that may be suggestive of the presence and participation of Mycoplasma, whatever the cause may be. I don't have the details in front of me at the moment, but I do believe there were several nominations of Mycoplasma for this role reported in medical or scientific journals, based on findings of Mycoplasma infection in some patients.
It's a shame that Mycoplasma infections probably remain a fairly obscure subject. Hard telling yet just what all Mycoplasma may end up assuming some responsibility for.
Sadly my lung troubles didn't seem to respond well to a round of erythomycin earlier this year like a Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection might be expected to, but given our geography and economy, our community might be at risk of acquiring macrolide resistant strains of Mycoplasma that are now reported as common in Asia.
It continues to trouble me just how easily outbreaks of Mycoplasma infection might be mistaken for common viral infections like colds or flu. I don't think I appreciated much during two trips to the hospital earlier this year when I asked what was going around that could send me there and they said a flu, even thought they skipped doing flu swabs for apparently having already decided it wasn't a flu for lack of a fever.
https://www.lung.org/about-us/blog/2017/02/what-is-walking-pneumonia.html
"Walking pneumonia" is a non-medical term for a mild case of pneumonia. Technically, it's called atypical pneumonia and is caused by bacteria or viruses; often a common bacterium called Mycoplasma pneumonia. Bed rest or hospitalization are usually not needed, and symptoms can be mild enough that you can continue about your daily activities, hence the term "walking."
But don't be fooled. Walking pneumonia can still make you miserable, with cough, fever, chest pain, mild chills, headache, etc. It feels more akin to a bad cold, and despite what the term "walking" implies, taking care of yourself is the best path to recovery.
"If you have the symptoms listed above, even if mild, you should see a doctor as soon as possible," says Dr. Albert Rizzo, senior medical advisor to the American Lung Association. Rizzo notes that walking pneumonia is treatable with antibiotics if your doctor believes bacteria to be the cause. Over-the-counter medications can also be used to relieve symptoms, such as antihistamines for nasal congestion or cough medications to help ease the cough and loosen any mucus (sputum). "In addition, it's important to get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids and take fever-reducing medicine if you have a fever," he adds."
IF your doctor believes bacteria to be the cause, that is. Mine wouldn't believe I could have a lung infection when I asked, because I wasn't running a fever. I've now been getting that kind of run-around for years when inquiring with doctors about the possibility of various lung infections.