Doctronic navigation menu Log In
Doctronic navigation menu
Contents
  • Understanding Chlamydia pneumoniae
  • Symptoms to Watch For
  • How It Spreads

Can Chlamydia pneumoniae Cause Pneumonia?

Can Chlamydia pneumoniae Cause Pneumonia?

What's This About?

Chlamydia pneumoniae is a type of bacteria that can cause pneumonia, a lung infection. This article explores how it affects adults, its symptoms, and its transmission.
Contents
  • Understanding Chlamydia pneumoniae
  • Symptoms to Watch For
  • How It Spreads

Understanding Chlamydia pneumoniae

Chlamydia pneumoniae is a bacterium that causes respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia. Unlike typical bacteria, it's intracellular, meaning it lives inside human cells to survive and reproduce. It spreads through respiratory droplets, making it common but usually mild.

Symptoms to Watch For

Pneumonia from C. pneumoniae generally starts with mild symptoms like a fever, cough, and shortness of breath. This form of pneumonia is often called 'atypical' because it can present less severely than other bacterial pneumonias. Some people may also experience throat irritation or sinus problems.
Chlamydia pneumoniae is a bacterium responsible for respiratory tract infections, including atypical pneumonia. It spreads through respiratory droplets and typically causes mild symptoms.

How It Spreads

C. pneumoniae is transmitted among people mainly through respiratory droplets, similar to how the common cold spreads. This makes it easy to catch if you're in close contact with someone who is infected, such as in shared living spaces or crowded environments.

FAQs

What is Chlamydia pneumoniae?

It's a bacterium that causes respiratory infections including pneumonia.

How does it spread?

It spreads through respiratory droplets, making person-to-person transmission common.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

Is it serious?

Most cases are mild, but severe cases can occur.

The Bottom Line

Chlamydia pneumoniae can cause pneumonia, usually mild, but understanding its transmission and symptoms is crucial.
Next steps: Talk with Doctronic about how to protect yourself from respiratory infections.
Additional References
  1. Basarab M, Macrae MB, Curtis CM. Atypical pneumonia. Curr Opin Pulm Med 2014; 20:247.
  2. Marchello C, Dale AP, Thai TN, et al. Prevalence of Atypical Pathogens in Patients With Cough and Community-Acquired Pneumonia: A Meta-Analysis. Ann Fam Med 2016; 14:552.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic.