Ureaplasma urealyticum: symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

Illness of ureaplasmosis is caused by unicellular microorganisms - ureaplasma urealyticum (ureaplasma urealiticum). This pathogen belongs to Gram-negative intracellular microbes. Ureaplasma urealyticum is a conditionally pathogenic microorganism, as many women have it in the normal flora of the vagina. This infection is transmitted both during sexual intercourse and when babies are born from an infected mother. In this case, ureaplasma urealyticum can get into the child's sexual path and stay there without activity for the rest of his life. The basic factor of body protection is a physiological barrier, which is provided by a normal microflora. Once the balance is broken, the microbe begins to multiply actively, and there is a disease of ureaplasmosis.

Etiology

The disease is one of the most common, sexually transmitted diseases. To date, medicine has no evidence that ureaplasmosis is transmitted by contact, that is, infection through use of one toilet, household items or in the pool is not the cause of the disease. In adult women ureaplasma urealyticum is detected in 60% of cases, in newborn girls - up to 30%, in men these microbes are detected much less often. Ureaplasma urealitikum is a transitional stage between viruses and bacteria. The name of the microorganism was due to the peculiarity of splitting urea. Thus, ureaplasmosis is a urinary infection, since ureaplasma urealiticum can not exist without urea.

Ureaplasmosis. What is and how is it manifested?

Ureaplasmosis does not have specific symptoms, like many other infections. The disease does not manifest itself immediately and may not disturb for a long time. The patient may not know that he is a carrier, and continue to infect the sexual partners. This is a common cause of ureaplasmosis. During pregnancy, the fetus becomes infected from the sick mother through the amniotic fluid. The threat also exists during labor during the passage of the newborn through the genital tract of the mother. The incubation period of ureaplasmosis can last from 2 to 5 weeks and depends on the state of the immune system of the infected person. The main factors of the appearance of ureaplasmosis are the following: constant change of partners and early initiation of sexual life, unprotected sex, gynecological and venereal diseases, administration of antibacterial and hormonal drugs, general deterioration in the quality of human life and persistent stress, radioactive irradiation and other factors that reduce human immunity. Ureaplasmosis is most often found in the age group up to 30 years.

Symptoms of ureaplasmosis

Women complain of the appearance of more transparent vaginal discharge, which is hardly distinguishable from normal. If the patient's immunity is weakened, then the ureaplasmosis rises higher along the sexual paths and causes inflammation of the appendages or uterus. In some cases, ureaplasmosis is manifested by itching and burning during urination. Sometimes the temperature rises slightly. There may be unpleasant sensations in the area of the prostate or groin. But since the manifestations are insignificant or absent (that is, the patient does not seek medical help), the ureaplasmosis in most cases becomes chronic and can become quite a serious complication for human health.

Diagnosis of the disease

For modern medicine, the diagnosis of ureaplasmosis is not too complicated. As a rule, the doctor chooses a certain combination of laboratory tests to obtain the most accurate results. The bacteriological method is very accurate. Materials from the urethra, cervix or vagina are placed for several days in a nutrient medium for the growth of ureaplasma urealyticum. This method allows you to determine the number of microbes, which is very important for choosing a course of treatment. If the indicator is less than 10 * 4 CFU the patient is considered a carrier, and there is no need for treatment. At a rate greater than 10 * 4 CFU, drug therapy is mandatory. The same method allows you to choose the right antibiotic. This study lasts for 1 week. A faster study is a polymerase chain reaction. This method allows us to identify the DNA of ureaplasma urealyticum. This study lasts for 5 hours. If the result is positive, the following examinations are made. Ureaplasma urealyticum parvum, the most common biovar of ureaplasma, can be detected.

Treatment of ureaplasmosis

If you have a history of "ureaplasmosis", do not resort to additional sources, as it is now accepted. Even if you find constructive information in Wikipedia, various medical reports and even in the Vidal catalog, do not use it without consulting a specialist. Do not engage in self-medication, because each patient has his own individual history of ureaplasmosis, his clinical picture and his anamnesis. Look at the photo of neglected cases or inadequate treatment and go for medical help to experienced specialists.