{"meta":{"status":200,"messages":[],"pagination":{"max":1,"offset":0,"count":1,"total":1,"pageNum":1,"totalPages":1,"sort":null,"currentUrl":"https://api.digitalmedia.hhs.gov/api/v2/resources/media.json?offset=0&max=1&ignoreHiddenMedia=1&format=json&id=10136","nextUrl":null,"previousUrl":null}},"results":[{"content":"\n
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Clinical Care of Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infection

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Key points

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  • Most Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections are self-limiting.
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  • Healthcare providers routinely treat pneumonia caused by M. pneumoniae with antibiotics.
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  • Be aware that some strains of M. pneumoniae may be resistant to macrolides.
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Treatment options

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Healthcare providers can treat M. pneumoniae infections with the following classes of antibiotics:

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  • Macrolides
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  • Tetracycline
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  • Fluoroquinolones
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Beta-lactam antibiotics don't work on mycoplasmas

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\n All mycoplasmas lack a cell wall and, therefore, are inherently resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics (e.g., penicillin). \n
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Treatment recommendations

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Take the age of the patient into consideration:

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  • Children and adults: Macrolides
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  • Older children and adults: Tetracyclines
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  • Adults: Fluoroquinolones
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For patients with suspected or confirmed M. pneumoniae infection who aren't improving on macrolides, consider using an alternative antibiotic regimen such as doxycycline. Take into account potential adverse effects in children and pregnant women when using certain fluoroquinolones or tetracyclines.

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Promote the judicious use of antibiotics and minimize the risk of antibiotic resistance by not prescribing antibiotics unless indicated by clinical or laboratory evidence.

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Antibiotic resistance

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Resistance to macrolides emerged in M. pneumoniae in the early 2000s. There is global variability, but it has remained under 10% in United States. Learn more about trends in macrolide-resistant M. pneumoniae.

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\n Content Source \n
\n National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases; \n Division of Bacterial Diseases \n
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\n About This Page \n
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\n Published: May 15, 2024 \n
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\n Updated: May 18, 2026 \n

This page was last updated on this date. Updates may include minor edits, image changes, or other modifications to page content.

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\n Reviewed: May 18, 2026 \n

The information on this page was last reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy.

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Syndicated Content Details:
Source URL: http://www.cdc.gov/pneumonia/atypical/mycoplasma/hcp/antibiotic-treatment-resistance.html
Source Agency: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Captured Date: 2016-05-23 22:36:19.0
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