What is mycoplasma, and is it dangerous?
Mycoplasma is an illness usually affecting the respiratory system, caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
It isn't generally dangerous and the symptoms are similar to those of a common cold: fever, sore throat, headache, fatigue, with the exception that it also usually defined by a persistent cough. In the US in particular it's sometimes referred to as "walking pneumonia", as it's less serious than standard cases of pneumonia ("walking" as in people who have it might still be up and about).
Most people have relatively mild symptoms – although a cough that sticks around for a few weeks is of course annoying – and recover without antibiotics or hospital care, but some may develop serious pneumonia.
It's spread through contact with droplets from the nose or throat of infected people, usually through coughing and sneezing. Although infections occur throughout the year, they usually peak in late summer and throughout the autumn.
According to Sweden's Public Health Agency, there is usually a large wave of mycoplasma infections in Sweden every four years or so, with the infection often spreading quickly in areas like schools or military bases. It's also commonly spread within families.
All ages are equally susceptible to catching mycoplasma, although symptoms and severity vary among age groups. Small children often have nothing more than a slight cold or no infection at all, while it's the most common cause of lung infections for people in their 20s.
There is no vaccine and you don't have lifelong immunity to it if you've had it previously. Severe cases can be treated with antibiotics.
How many people have caught it in this new wave?
There are no specific figures on how many people have been infected with the bacteria, as those displaying symptoms are usually not tested.
The number of people hospitalised due to pneumonia has risen, however. In September, more than 500 people were in hospital with mycoplasma infection according to Sweden's National Board of Health and Welfare, up from 200 which was the highest number in a single month before the pandemic.
"The likely explanation why we are seeing a lot of ill people now is that mycoplasma almost didn't spread at all in the first year of the pandemic. That has led to weakened immunity in society," state epidemiologist Magnus Gisslén told the TT news agency.
It could take two to three weeks from the point of infection until you start noticing symptoms, so it's hard to stop an outbreak. According to Gisslén, if you're feeling unwell and have a fever you should stay at home, especially for the first few days. Otherwise you can go about your daily life.
Comments (3)