When you hear the word chlamydia, you might think of the
sexually transmitted disease (STD) by that name. The STD is
caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, one species of Chlamydia
bacteria. Another species, called Chlamydia (or Chlamydophila)
pneumoniae, causes respiratory illnesses. These lung infections
are spread in the same way as many other respiratory diseases.
They are passed from person to person directly through coughs or
sneezes and indirectly from germs on hands or other objects. The
number of these infections peaks in school-aged children between
5 and 15 years of age. Signs and Symptoms Illnesses caused by C
pneumoniae can cause a prolonged cough, bronchitis, and
pneumonia as well as a sore throat, laryngitis, ear infections,
and sinusitis. They usually start gradually with a sore throat
that is followed by a cough about a week or more later. The
cough may last for 2 to 6 weeks. In some cases, the child may
get bronchitis or a mild case of pneumonia. While some infected
children have only mild to mode