Prevention

Like many respiratory diseases, Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is spread by coughing and sneezing. Some tips to prevent the spread of M. pneumoniae include:

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Put your used tissue in the waste basket.
• If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

There is no vaccine to prevent M. pneumoniae infection.

Previous Infections

Life-long immunity (defense to or protection from future infections) to M. pneumoniae likely does not occur. If you get sick from M. pneumoniae, you may get sick from it again in the future.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are used to treat patients with pneumonia caused by M. pneumoniae. Preventive antibiotics (medications that help prevent diseases caused by bacteria) are not usually recommended for people who are close contacts, including household members, of someone who is sick with M. pneumoniae infection, if those people are feeling well.