There are a number of supportive care considerations when undergoing therapy for mycoplasma infections. Self-care approaches to better manage therapy includes understanding and managing long-term antibiotic treatment, including controlling adverse reactions to treatment and preventing side effects of treatments.

Antibiotics tend to promote the growth of fungus or yeast in the body by destroying your good bacteria in the intestinal tract. The most common organism to flourish when we are treated with long-term antibiotics is yeast (with Candidiasis being the most frequent). Yeasts normally reside in the gastro-intestinal system, from the mouth to the anus, and in the vagina. But, its overgrowth is kept under control by the resident “good” bacteria that also reside with it. Nearly everyone on long-term antibiotic therapy will have a yeast infection at some point in time!

There are two forms of yeast, the spore-form and the mycelial-form. The spore-form only infects the lining of the mucous membranes, but the mycelial-form can go deeper into the tissues, and become systemic.

An overgrowth of yeast in the mouth and throat will often cause the tongue to become coated with a white or yellowish growth and the throat may become sore. An overgrowth of yeast in the intestinal tract will ferment the sugars and starches in our food, forming acids, gas, and alcohol. Symptoms include gas, heartburn and/or pain in the stomach area, and because of the alcohol formation, there can be headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness, and wooziness.

A vaginal yeast overgrowth may manifest itself in a white or yellowish, itchy discharge and/or symptoms of a bladder infection (urinary frequency, urgency and burning upon urination). A serum antibody test for yeast or a serum arabitol test can be done. (Aribitol is found to be elevated in those with proven invasive Candidiasis.)

To prevent the overgrowth of yeasts and fungus, it is recommended that one modify the diet to have a higher amount of protein (fish, meat, eggs, soy) and lower carbohydrates (pasta, rice, bread, grains) eat more vegetables and less fruit.

If a yeast or fungus infection develops, various prescription medications for infection of the mucous membrane can be helpful, such as nystatin, mycelex, and mycostatin as well as various herbal preparations like micropreyl (a combination of garlic, magnesium, calcium and caprylic acid) . These medications may come in the form of tablets, lozenges, liquids (swish and swallow) and/or vaginal preparations. Sporonox, diflucan, lamisil, and amphotericin are systemic antifungal prescriptions that circulate throughout the body and are reserved for the mycelial-form.

While limiting simple sugars and starches in the diet may help to prevent the spore-form of yeast, once an infection occurs, this practice alone may inadvertently force the spore-form of yeast to become a protein-loving organism, and change into the mycelial-form, going deeper into the tissues in search of protein. Therefore, it is advised to treat yeast or fungus infections with both medications and diet limititations. When taking diflucan or sporonox, do not use the antihistamines seldane or hismanol, quinidine (a heart medication), cholesterol-lowering medications in the mevacor family, or the bowel medicine propulid. These can be fatal combinations. Always consult with your physician and pharmacist if you are taking numerous medications. They can best determine if your particular medication combination is harmful.

The “good” bacteria are necessary in the bowel to help with absorption of nutrients from our food. Every day, while on antibiotics, replenish the bowel with a product that contains “good” bacteria. Do not take it at the same time as you take your antibiotic, however. Many good products (called probiotics) can be found over the counter. These contain transient bacteria; i.e., lactobacillus acidophilus, bifidobacterium, saccharomyces boulardii, etc. and/or human strains of acidophilus. Take the probiotics 1-2 hours either before or after the antibiotics.

If stools become loose while taking antibiotics, often a yeast-free, high-protein diet will lessen the stools. However, if the looseness persists or becomes worse, notify your physician. Long-term use of antibiotics can permit the overgrowth of another, resistant bacteria called clostridium difficile (an anaerobic spore-forming bacteria) that causes a form of colitis. The main symptom of this unwanted bacterial overgrowth is diarrhea (often watery and explosive). Treatment with another antibacterial agent that is clinically effective against this organism may be necessary before one can resume the antibiotics for mycoplasma. However, regular and judicious use of probiotic supplements seems to be helpful in preventing this antibiotic-related colitis.

Mycoplasma Support does not make specific recommendations for individuals, nor does Mycoplasma Support endorse commercial products. The recommendations for self-care listed in this section are potentially useful; however, they are only examples that could be beneficial to individual's with chronic mycoplasma infection.  

The information contained in the supportive care information is not intended to replace the advice of a physician or other health care professional. The information presented is to help you make informed decisions about your self-care. The information should not take the place of medical advice. The information should not be considered complete, nor should it be relied upon or interpreted to suggest a course of treatment for any individual.  It is information only and it should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation or the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider.  You are encouraged to share this information with your physician.

(Created 7/10/05 by Sharon Briggs)