Chlamydia pneumoniae is a pathogen that causes pneumonia along with acute respiratory disease in some cases. This pathogen is responsible for 10% of the community acquired pneumonia cases and it also causes other problems like sinusitis along with bronchitis. This condition often manifests in the form of common cough that persists for prolonged periods of time.

This pathogen has a complex life cycle and this bacterium is also known to cause pharyngitis along with atypical pneumonia and bronchitis. These bacteria can exist as elementary bodies between hosts and can survive outside the host for some time. It travels from a person who is infected to the lungs in an uninfected person. The symptoms associated with Chlamydia pneumoniae are different as compared to the symptoms associated with other causes of this infection.

The symptoms caused by Chlamydia pneumoniae may include fever, difficulty in breathing along with cough. Patients also experience whitening of the back region of the tongue. The palate also becomes red and hard. Patients with this infection experience nasal congestion along with chest pressure and accompanying depression.

Sputum or respiratory tract secretions may be examined to detect these bacteria and to make an accurate diagnosis. This is because merely a physical examination may not result in definite diagnosis. Likewise examination of blood may be undertaken so as to identify possible antibodies against the bacteria. Chest x-rays of individuals suffering from Chlamydia pneumoniae may have a patch of shadow or increased opacity. In this condition different cases may reflect different patterns.

Treatment of Chlamydia pneumoniae may include taking some antibiotics like azithromycin and clarithromycin. This treatment may be continued for a period of 10 to 14 days for these infections. In case the infection has been present for a greater period of time the treatment may be continued for three weeks. Prognosis of this condition is quite good and complications are observed in rare cases.