Researchers have announced that there is a new sexually transmitted disease in existence. And it has been named mycoplasma genitalium, or MG, according to CNN.
"Though experts have known of MG's existence since the '80s," the news source said, "the new paper published in the International Journal of Epidemiology reveals that the bacterial infection, which resides in the urinary and genital tracts, likely spreads through sexual contact."
Researchers from the University College London made this observation after studying urine samples from at least 4,000 men and women aged 18-44 years old who were sexually active.
"Of these participants, 48 women and 24 men were diagnosed with MG," CNN noted. "However, when the researchers tested urine samples from about 200 teenagers who had never had sex, zero tested positive for the infection."
According to Dr. Raquel Dardik, MD of NYU Langone's Joan H. Tisch Center for Women's Health, those infected with MG typically show no symptoms, although the ladies "may have irritation, painful urination, and bleeding after sex."
"For men, there may be painful urination or a watery discharge from the penis," Fox43.com reported.
In severe cases, LiveScience noted, the pelvic inflammatory disease triggered by MG may lead to infertility among women.
Right now, specialists are trying to "better understand the implications of [M. genitalium] infection in women," Seattle's University of Washington professor of epidemiology Lisa Manhart said.
"A recent review study by Manhart and colleagues found that the risk of inflammation of the cervix, pelvic inflammatory disease and preterm birth was about twice as high in women with M. genitalium infection, compared to women without the infection," the news source explained. "Still, some researchers want to see more evidence before concluding that M. genitalium does cause complications in women."
Individuals can have themselves tested for this infection, although this is not an easy feat as few labs offer such a test.
"Your doctor will have to send it to the nearest research center or big university lab that offers it, which can delay your results significantly depending on where you live," CNN noted.
However, with the recent finding and classification of MG as an STD, it's possible that more labs will offer MG detection tests.
Fortunately, MG is treatable. The "Z-pack" - which consist of the antibiotic azithromycin - prescribed to those with strep throat works in managing MG.
Further, Dr. Dardik advised sexually active individuals to use condoms as a preventive measure as these are reportedly effective against bacterial infection.
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