Chlamydia Pneumonia: Symptoms, Prevention, Treatment & Medications

Chlamydia pnuemoniae is a type of bacterium that causes an infection. It occurs when the lining of the respiratory tract is damaged. It affects the lung, pharyngitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia.

The disease can infect a person with a weak immune system. This is not a sexually transmitted infection though they have the same name. If this condition left untreated, it can cause a serious health problem. It can result in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) such as:

• Chronic Bronchitis
• Emphysema
• Refractory Asthma

The disease is curable. An early diagnosis can be of help to diagnose the infection. A treatment with medication helps your symptoms to disappear in just a week.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CHLAMYDIA PNEUMONIA

Chlamydia Pneumoniae doesn’t really show symptoms in most people. Normally, it has mild symptoms just like other diseases. But if it occurs, this may be the possible symptoms:

• A headache
• Fatigue
• Runny or Stuffy Nose
• Low-grade Fever
• Loss of voice (Laryngitis)
• Bad Coughs
• A sore Throat
• Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (e.g ear or sinus infection)

If the disease left untreated, it can lead to a serious infection (e.g pneumonia and bronchitis). If you develop Pneumonia, the symptoms may include:

• Breathing Problems
• Chest Pain
• Confusion
• Dry or Mucus Cough
• Fever
• Loss of Appetite

Visit your doctor if you have this kind of symptoms to know if it’s severe.

SOURCE OF INFECTION

The cause of the infection of this disease is a bacterium. The bacteria can infect each and every one. It can spread in many ways such as:

• Direct contact with to a person with the Disease
• Inhaling the air when an infected person sneezes or coughs
• Close contact with a sick person with the infection
• Spreading the bacteria by shaking of hands

RISK AND PREVENTION

The following are people at risk of developing the condition.

• Gender
• Young and Adult
• Cigarette Smoker
• Family History
• Obesity
• Weak Immune System

The listed below are workplaces at risk of getting the disease such as:

• Hospitals
• Dormitories
• Prisons
• Schools
• Military Barracks
• Nursing Homes

WAYS TO PREVENT CHLAMYDIA PNEUMONIA

The following are tips to prevent from developing the disease.

• Wash your hands with soap and water regularly.
• Cover your mouth with a tissue when you’re coughing.
• Sneeze into a tissue, away from others.
• Throw your used tissue in a proper wastebasket.
• Use alcohol or hand sanitizer to kill germs.
• Wear face mask and gloves when you’re in the hospital.

DIAGNOSIS

The diagnosis for this condition may include:

LABORATORY TESTS

• Sputum Test
• Swabbing the nose/throat
• Blood Test

Those are the following test in diagnosing the infection. The treatment will take place after diagnosing your condition.

TREATMENT CHLAMYDIA PNEUMONIA

The treatment for this condition may include antibiotics. Some people recover directly without any treatment.

THE DRUGS INCLUDE:

• Azithromycin
• Tetracycline
• Doxycycline