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Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Causes

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Treatment

Complications

Prevention

FAQs

It’s not clear how many people become infected withChlamydia pneumoniae. However, many people who do get it are able to clear a mild infection on their own. Older people and some other groups are at a higher risk for more severe infections.

Read on for more information on the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment ofChlamydia pneumoniae.

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Person laying down on couch while blowing their nose and reading their temperature on an electronic thermometer

Chlamydia pneumoniaecan spread from one person to another through respiratory droplets. This typically occurs when a person who is infected sneezes or coughs.

People who have only brief contact with a person who hasC. pneumoniaeare unlikely to get sick. It’s more common that a person who is infected will transmit the bacterium to someone who lives with them or is around them for prolonged periods of time.

Higher Risk Settings for Chlamydia Pneumoniae InfectionsProlonged contact with a person who is infected with the bacterium is more likely to result in an infection. Working or living in a crowded or densely populated environment can increase your risk of being exposed and becoming ill with chlamydia pneumoniae. These settings may include:SchoolsResidential halls or housing at universities and collegesHospitalsLong-term care facilities, such as assisted living or nursing homesCorrectional facilitiesMilitary barracks

Higher Risk Settings for Chlamydia Pneumoniae Infections

Prolonged contact with a person who is infected with the bacterium is more likely to result in an infection. Working or living in a crowded or densely populated environment can increase your risk of being exposed and becoming ill with chlamydia pneumoniae. These settings may include:SchoolsResidential halls or housing at universities and collegesHospitalsLong-term care facilities, such as assisted living or nursing homesCorrectional facilitiesMilitary barracks

Prolonged contact with a person who is infected with the bacterium is more likely to result in an infection. Working or living in a crowded or densely populated environment can increase your risk of being exposed and becoming ill with chlamydia pneumoniae. These settings may include:

Many people who have aC. pneumoniaeinfection will have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all.

For those who experience symptoms, it may take three to four weeks for them to appear after being exposed to the bacterium. This is referred to as the incubation period.

Common symptoms include:

If you suspect you’ve come into contact with the bacteria or are experiencing symptoms, a healthcare provider may take a sample from your throat or nose to test for bacterial antibodies. A blood test to confirm infection is also possible.

Again, many people who have aChlamydia pneumoniaeinfection will not need any specific treatment. The infection will often go away on its own.

If treatment is necessary, a healthcare provider can assess the infection and possibly prescribeantibiotics. Common antibiotics for adults include:

Some people may go through one round of antibiotic treatment, but their symptoms come back after they are done taking the prescribed medicine. If this is the case, a healthcare provider may recommend another course of treatment.

Whereas many people who become infected have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, some people experience an infection that can require hospitalization. This type of bacteria may makeasthmaworse and cause swelling in the brain (encephalitis) or heart (myocarditis).

Some research suggests thatC. pneumoniaecan also cause persistent infection.While persistent infection has not been definitively demonstrated in humans, it is hypothesized to play a role in chronic inflammatory conditions, including asthma and reactive arthritis.

Like many other bacterial pathogens, one of the best strategies to prevent infection is practicing good hygiene.

Hand hygiene is also a key component of prevention, including:

Note that healthcare providers won’t typically prescribe antibiotics as a preventive measure againstC. pneumoniae.It’s also possible for it to recur.

Summary

Chlamydia pneumoniaeis a species of Chlamydia that causes respiratory conditions, including pneumonia. It’s transmitted from one person to another in close and prolonged contact through respiratory droplets. Symptoms may take up to four weeks to appear and can include sneezing, coughing, fatigue, low-grade fever, runny or stuffy nose, headache, and throat soreness.

Many people have mild or no symptoms, but older people are at a higher risk for severe infection. A throat swab or blood test may be used to diagnose an infection. If treatment is necessary, a healthcare provider will often prescribe antibiotics. It’s possible for infection to recur after treatment.

Prevention measures typically include frequent handwashing and covering your coughs and sneezes to limit transmission to others.

A Word From Verywell

ThoughC. pneumoniaeis typically transmitted through prolonged contact with a person who is infected, it’s wise to regularly practice hygiene strategies to reduce the risk of any respiratory infections. Frequent handwashing is a key component of preventing many types of illnesses. Other practices include eating a nutritious diet, getting enough quality rest, managing your stress, and being regularly active, which can all help maintain your immune system so you’re able to fight off infections.

Frequently Asked QuestionsNo.Chlamydia pneumoniaeis not asexually transmitted infection(STI). It’s primarily spread through respiratory droplets. However, another species of Chlamydia,Chlamydia trachomatis, is sexually transmitted.Yes.Chlamydia pneumoniaecan be treated and cured with antibiotics. For many people, the infection will go away on its own without treatment. It’s possible to become infected again as a previous infection doesn’t seem to result in immunity later on.Common symptoms ofChlamydia pneumoniaeare similar to other respiratory infections. You may experience fatigue, headache, low-grade fever, throat soreness, hoarseness in your voice, coughing, sneezing, and a runny or stuffy nose.

Frequently Asked Questions

No.Chlamydia pneumoniaeis not asexually transmitted infection(STI). It’s primarily spread through respiratory droplets. However, another species of Chlamydia,Chlamydia trachomatis, is sexually transmitted.

Yes.Chlamydia pneumoniaecan be treated and cured with antibiotics. For many people, the infection will go away on its own without treatment. It’s possible to become infected again as a previous infection doesn’t seem to result in immunity later on.

Common symptoms ofChlamydia pneumoniaeare similar to other respiratory infections. You may experience fatigue, headache, low-grade fever, throat soreness, hoarseness in your voice, coughing, sneezing, and a runny or stuffy nose.

9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Di Pietro M, Filardo S, Romano S, Sessa R.Chlamydia trachomatis and chlamydia pneumoniae interaction with the host: latest advances and future prospective.Microorganisms. 2019;7(5):140. doi:10.3390/microorganisms7050140Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chlamydia pneumoniaeinfection.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chlamydia pneumoniaeinfection: causes and how it spreads.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical overview ofChlamydia pneumoniaeinfection.Porritt RA, Crother TR.Chlamydia pneumoniaeinfection and inflammatory diseases.For Immunopathol Dis Therap. 2016;7(3-4):237-254. doi:10.1615/ForumImmunDisTher.2017020161Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Prevention.American Academy of Pediatrics.Chlamydia pneumoniae infections: causes, symptoms & treatment.

9 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Di Pietro M, Filardo S, Romano S, Sessa R.Chlamydia trachomatis and chlamydia pneumoniae interaction with the host: latest advances and future prospective.Microorganisms. 2019;7(5):140. doi:10.3390/microorganisms7050140Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chlamydia pneumoniaeinfection.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chlamydia pneumoniaeinfection: causes and how it spreads.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical overview ofChlamydia pneumoniaeinfection.Porritt RA, Crother TR.Chlamydia pneumoniaeinfection and inflammatory diseases.For Immunopathol Dis Therap. 2016;7(3-4):237-254. doi:10.1615/ForumImmunDisTher.2017020161Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Prevention.American Academy of Pediatrics.Chlamydia pneumoniae infections: causes, symptoms & treatment.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Di Pietro M, Filardo S, Romano S, Sessa R.Chlamydia trachomatis and chlamydia pneumoniae interaction with the host: latest advances and future prospective.Microorganisms. 2019;7(5):140. doi:10.3390/microorganisms7050140Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chlamydia pneumoniaeinfection.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chlamydia pneumoniaeinfection: causes and how it spreads.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical overview ofChlamydia pneumoniaeinfection.Porritt RA, Crother TR.Chlamydia pneumoniaeinfection and inflammatory diseases.For Immunopathol Dis Therap. 2016;7(3-4):237-254. doi:10.1615/ForumImmunDisTher.2017020161Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Prevention.American Academy of Pediatrics.Chlamydia pneumoniae infections: causes, symptoms & treatment.

Di Pietro M, Filardo S, Romano S, Sessa R.Chlamydia trachomatis and chlamydia pneumoniae interaction with the host: latest advances and future prospective.Microorganisms. 2019;7(5):140. doi:10.3390/microorganisms7050140

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chlamydia pneumoniaeinfection.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chlamydia pneumoniaeinfection: causes and how it spreads.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical overview ofChlamydia pneumoniaeinfection.

Porritt RA, Crother TR.Chlamydia pneumoniaeinfection and inflammatory diseases.For Immunopathol Dis Therap. 2016;7(3-4):237-254. doi:10.1615/ForumImmunDisTher.2017020161

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Prevention.

American Academy of Pediatrics.Chlamydia pneumoniae infections: causes, symptoms & treatment.

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