NSU-Ureaplasma, need to treat?

[clean&neat]

Went for STD screen and was negative for everything except ureaplasma.
No symptoms, no discomfort.

Likely got it via BBBJ as I always bonk with protection, and I don't think I will be stopping BBBJ anytime soon.

Did a read online and seems like a lot of people have this. DSC does even not bother to screen for this.

Does it make sense to take antibiotics? If cured I would most likely get it again. Let it be?

[sammyboyfor]

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Ureaplasma/show/245287


H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.Blank
You're right, most clinics and doctors don't test for Ureaplasma, and for good reason. It really isn't all that controversial among real STD experts. The bottom line is that all sexually active persons get Ureaplasma at one time or another; routine testing would simply pick up people carrying the organism, which rarely if ever causes disease. Therefore it isn't recommended by CDC or other STD experts and is done by few physicians in this country. Look at it as part of the normal bacteria that normal people carry. Since it's in the genitals (vagina, urethra) the organism indeed can be transmitted sexually.

That's the simple view. Things are always more complex. Newer research suggests that some Ureplasma strains may be more likely to cause real disease than others. However, no test done by routine labs distinguishes the "good" vs "bad" strains. In addition, even with the "bad" strains, actual disease has only been found in men, in whom Ureaplasma may sometimes cause nongonococcal urethritis (NGU); no important health problems are known to occur from Ureaplasma in women.

Bottom line: No real STD experts in the U.S. routinely test for Ureaplasma; and if we think it is present, no treatment is prescibed. There is some difference of opinion in different countries. For example, if you are in Spain, you're more likely to run into docs who look at Ureaplasma more seriously than I do.

With that as background, you need do nothing about your partner--indeed I fear you have done too much already, all of it unnecessary. In he gets symptoms, in particular NGU (the main symptom would be urethral discharge), he should seek treatment. Otherwise, skip the antibiotics and condoms and enjoy each other.

Good luck-- HHH, MD
Jan 19, 2005
Discussion is closed
Cancel

[sammyboyfor]

Dr Tan may have more to add should he pop by.

[IAmAwesome]

The ureaplasma thing does not seem to be serious thing though in my opinion TS :o

[DoctorTan]

Ureaplasma is a commensal of the genital-urinary tract. It does not require treatment.

The only time I treat Ureaplasma is if the patient has symptoms and the only organism identified on testing is Ureaplasma. In such situations, we do a trial of therapy for Ureaplasma. Although, that does not necessarily mean the Ureaplasma is the one causing the symptoms.

[clean&neat]

Thanks for all your response. I appreciate the advice.

[Commuter]

Ureaplasma is a commensal of the genital-urinary tract. It does not require treatment.

The only time I treat Ureaplasma is if the patient has symptoms and the only organism identified on testing is Ureaplasma. In such situations, we do a trial of therapy for Ureaplasma. Although, that does not necessarily mean the Ureaplasma is the one causing the symptoms.

Never knew that, very good info