Although the researchers have not clearly established how mycoplasmas are transmitted, they have made some inferences from the data they have collected.

The mycoplasma organism has been found in the blood and body fluids, spinal fluid, bone marrow, urine, and in the lungs, nose and mouth. The mycoplasma is reported to be able to survive for two hours outside the body (Baseman & Tully, 1997) .

Some sort of chemical exposure or immune distress (i.e., auto accident, surgery, cancer) appears to pre-date the onset of illness. Of those with CFS, FMS, GWS, and RA, numerous friends and spouses have the illness, as well as close relatives (Nicolson, Nicolson & Nasralla, 1998; Nicolson, et al., 2000).

When examining those with GWS, it was noted that immediate family members also had similar symptoms (Nicolson, et al., 2000). Several babies have also been known to be born with a similar illness (Nicolson & Nicolson, 1997; Nicolson, Nicolson & Nasralla, 1998). In a more recent study of immediate family members of those with GWS, when the blood was examined, it was found that most family members of GWS patients that were symptomatic with signs and symptoms of CFS also had mycoplasmal infections. Of those diagnosed with GWS, 82% were infected with mycoplasma as was 77.5% of family members with symptoms of CFS. In both groups, the predominate mycoplasma species found was M. fermentans. (Nicolson, et al., 2003). Speculation as to how those with GWS contracted the mycoplasma infection has led to questioning immunization practices of military personnel and/or possible biological exposure during deployment (Nicolson, et al., 2000). Inferences made from studies of immediate family members of those GWS veterans who have mycoplasma infections, suggest that casual transmission is possible.

Therefore, it would appear that mycoplasma is transmitted after deployment in the military, through casual contact with one who is infected with mycoplasma, and both casual and intimate contact and from mother to fetus. This means that the organism may possibly be contracted from vaccines contaminated with mycoplasma or from contamination from biological weopons. It can be passed from person to person through sputum (coughing droplets that contain the organism), saliva, sexual secretions, blood, and urine.

(Created 6/10/05 by Sharon Briggs)