The term Chlamydia refers to a genus of bacteria containing different species, which affect distinct parts of the body. While a cough can be a symptom of a Chlamydia infection, it is typically caused by the species that targets the respiratory tract, not the one associated with sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The specific type of bacteria determines the transmission route and the primary site of infection.
Respiratory Chlamydia: The Cause of Coughs
The bacterium primarily responsible for respiratory symptoms is Chlamydia pneumoniae, which is spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. This species is not considered a sexually transmitted infection, but rather a common cause of respiratory illness in people of all ages. The infection often begins with general upper respiratory symptoms like a sore throat, hoarseness, and a low-grade fever.
The infection can progress to cause lower respiratory tract issues, such as bronchitis or atypical pneumonia, sometimes called “walking pneumonia.” A key characteristic is a persistent cough that develops slowly and may not produce much mucus. This cough can linger for several weeks or even months after the initial symptoms have faded.
In some cases, the illness presents in a two-stage pattern, starting with mild upper respiratory symptoms that clear up before pneumonia symptoms begin one to four weeks later. Though the infection is often mild, it is a significant cause of community-acquired pneumonia, especially in older adults. Other symptoms can include fatigue, headache, and a runny or stuffy nose.
Genital Chlamydia: Symptoms and Transmission
The species Chlamydia trachomatis is the STI that primarily affects the genital tract, rectum, and throat. Transmitted through sexual contact, this form is often asymptomatic in both men and women. When symptoms do occur in adults, they usually involve discharge from the penis or vagina and a burning sensation during urination.
The infection does not typically cause a cough in adults, but there is a notable exception involving transmission from an infected mother to her newborn during birth. If the mother has an untreated C. trachomatis infection, the bacteria can be passed to the infant during delivery. This vertical transmission can lead to neonatal conjunctivitis, which presents within the first two weeks of life.
More significantly, the bacteria can cause subacute pneumonia in infants, usually developing between one and three months of age. This unique form is characterized by a distinctive, repeated, and rapid coughing sound, sometimes described as a staccato cough. Infants with C. trachomatis pneumonia are often not severely ill or feverish, but they can experience nasal congestion and tachypnea.
Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
Diagnosis
Diagnosing a Chlamydia infection depends on the suspected location, but both respiratory and genital forms rely on laboratory testing. For C. trachomatis (the genital form), diagnosis is most commonly made using Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAATs) on urine samples or swabs taken from the cervix, vagina, urethra, or rectum. Diagnosis of C. pneumoniae (the respiratory form) involves analyzing a nasal swab or a sample of mucus, often through a panel test checking for multiple respiratory pathogens.
Treatment
Both types of infection are generally treated successfully with antibiotics. For the genital infection, standard treatments include a single dose of azithromycin or a seven-day course of doxycycline. Treatment for C. trachomatis pneumonia in infants is also an antibiotic, typically a macrolide administered for up to 14 days.
Prevention
Preventing the spread of C. trachomatis centers on safe sexual practices, including abstaining from sexual activity until treatment is completed. Partner treatment is an important step for genital Chlamydia to prevent reinfection. Prevention of C. pneumoniae is similar to other respiratory illnesses, focusing on good hygiene practices like frequent hand washing and covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.