By: Tanya Altmann, MD, FAAP & Amina Ahmed, MD, FAAP
Chlamydia pneumoniae is a type of bacteria that can cause respiratory infections. It is a different species than the bacteria that causes
sexually transmitted infections
(Chlamydia trachomatis).
C pneumoniae infections are common in school-aged children and young adults. These infections spread like many other respiratory diseases. Someone with C pneumoniae can pass it to others through
coughs or sneezes. People can also be infected if they touch an object or surface with the bacteria on it and then touch their mouth or nose.
Signs & symptoms of
C pneumoniae in children
C pneumoniae can cause
sore throat,
ear infections and sinus infections. It can also cause
bronchitis and
pneumonia.
Symptoms of
C pneumoniae usually begin slowly. They may start with a sore throat, followed by a cough after a week or more. The cough may last for 2 to 6 weeks, suggesting bronchitis or a mild case of pneumonia. Some infected children have only mild to moderate symptoms, or none at all.
C pneumoniae testing & treatment
To diagnose
C pneumoniae, the pediatrician will examine the child and look at their symptoms. They can also take a nasal swab or collect mucus (phlegm) and have it tested. The sample can be tested for
C pneumoniae alone. Or, the doctor may use a
panel test that can look for other viruses or bacteria, too.
Since the COVID pandemic, it has become more common for doctors to use a
panel test to help find out which germs might be causing an infection. This has led to earlier and faster diagnosis of
C pneumoniae infections.
Recovery from the infection may be slow. However, most people get better on their own without treatment. Your pediatrician may decide to prescribe an
antibiotic such as azithromycin to clear up the infection.
Can
C pneumoniae infection be prevented?
There is no vaccine to prevent
C pneumoniae infection, and people can be infected more than once.
To keep from getting or spreading
C pneumoniae, encourage your child to wash their hands often and cover their coughs and sneezes.
More information
About Dr. Altmann
 Tanya Altmann, MD, FAAP, is an official American Academy of Pediatrics spokesperson, assistant clinical professor at UCLA, author of
What to Feed Your Baby,
Mommy Calls, editor of
Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5, and a mom of three boys. Visit
DrTanya.com for more information.
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About Dr. Ahmed
 Amina Ahmed, MD, FAAP, is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Infectious Diseases and represents the American Thoracic Society on the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases.
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