Mycoplasma is increasing in Sweden: “The tip of an iceberg”

There is usually a major spread of mycoplasma approximately every four years in Sweden.

Although there are no official statistics, there are indications that the infection is more widespread than in previous years. An increase can be seen in the number of positive laboratory results and that more people need hospital care for mycoplasma.

– And that is the tip of an iceberg, says Magnus Gisslén, state epidemiologist, infectious disease doctor and professor at Sahlgrenska Academy.

He thinks it could be an effect of the corona pandemic.

– We have had extremely little mycoplasma during the first years of the pandemic, in the same way as with many other infectious diseases. And then it means that overall immunity in the population decreases and that more people become susceptible.

May lead to pneumonia

The Public Health Authority believes that the infection may increase before it reverses.

– We will probably see an increase for another week or so, and then a slowdown a little later in the autumn or the beginning of winter, says Magnus Gisslén.

Mycoplasma often feels like a common cold. But in some cases it can lead to pneumonia. Most people who get infected are school-aged children, teenagers and adults in their 20s and 30s.

But there is no reason to be worried, says Magnus Gisslén:

– Single individuals become more severely ill, and it can be coincidence. It can be high infectious doses or genetic factors in the same way as with all infectious diseases. But it’s very rare for someone to get sick enough to need hospital treatment, and death is extremely rare in mycoplasma infection.

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