Fast Facts You Need to Know about Chlamydia pneumoniae Infections

1. Most people with a Chlamydia pneumoniae infection have mild illness or do not have symptoms at all.

  • Some people can develop serious infections like pneumonia (lung infection), particularly older adults.
  • Symptoms of a C. pneumoniae infection usually start gradually. It can take someone 3 to 4 weeks to get sick after being exposed to the bacteria.
  • After gradual onset, symptoms due to C. pneumoniae infection may continue for several weeks or months even with appropriate antibiotic treatment.

Learn about C. pneumoniae infection signs and symptoms.

2. Most people with a C. pneumoniae infection will recover on their own without antibiotics.

  • If needed, doctors can use several types of antibiotics to treat C. pneumoniae infections.
  • Doctors generally do not prescribe antibiotics to help prevent someone from developing a C. pneumoniae infection if they are exposed to the bacteria.

Learn about C. pneumoniae infection diagnosis, treatment, and complications.

3. The true number of people affected by C. pneumoniae infection is unknown.

  • There is no national reporting or surveillance system for this infection.
  • It is likely that many pneumoniae infections are not identified due to it usually only causing mild or no symptoms.

Learn about C. pneumoniae infection history and disease patterns.

Page last reviewed: November 15, 2021