Respiratory chlamydia in adults: symptoms and treatment. Symptoms and treatment of respiratory chlamydia. What diseases are caused by chlamydia

Pathogen throughout the body. In addition, it is important to pay attention to increasing general immunity, as this speeds up recovery. The basis of treatment for respiratory chlamydia is an effective course of antibiotic therapy. If necessary, other medications are prescribed, but they are aimed more at eliminating acute symptoms that bother the patient.

There are three groups of antibacterial drugs that are most effective in treating respiratory chlamydia:

The most commonly used drugs in the treatment of respiratory chlamydia are:

• spiramycin.

Fluoroquinolones.

Fluoroquinolones used in the treatment of respiratory chlamydia include:

• ofloxacin;
• moxifloxacin.

Tetracyclines.

When using tetracyclines in the treatment of respiratory chlamydia, there are the following contraindications:

• age under 8 years;

The duration of antibiotic therapy for uncomplicated forms of respiratory chlamydia is usually 14 - 21 days. Shorter courses of treatment create a risk of relapse ( re-exacerbation) infections.

It is advisable to prescribe antibiotics after an antibiogram ( determining the sensitivity of microorganisms to certain antibiotics). A preliminary antibiogram is extremely important from the point of view of the effectiveness of treatment. After all, an irrationally prescribed drug will not only not lead to a cure for the disease, but may also lead to the progression of the pathological process. Due to the complexity of this test for chlamydia, it is prescribed primarily to those patients who have not responded to macrolide treatment.

An important link in the treatment of respiratory chlamydia is increasing general immunity. For this purpose, immunomodulators that have an immunostimulating effect are used ( thymalin, thymogen, roncoleukin, lycopid). When using immunomodulators in the complex treatment of respiratory chlamydia, faster recovery times and a reduced risk of relapse and chronic infection were noted. Stimulation of general immunity is also important for the prevention of disease, since people with poor health most often get sick.

People at risk for contracting respiratory chlamydia include:

• children;
• aged people;
• people with cancer;
• AIDS patients.

Symptomatic treatment of respiratory chlamydia includes:

• Expectorants and mucolytics. Expectorants and mucolytics are necessary to restore the drainage function of the bronchi. With respiratory chlamydia, they often become clogged with mucus and make breathing difficult. For this purpose, drugs such as Physiotherapy. Physiotherapy ( Exercise therapy) is prescribed when the patient’s condition is satisfactory, when moderate exercise can no longer aggravate the disease. Exercise therapy classes help improve blood circulation, increase the vital capacity of the lungs, lung mobility, and increase the body's defenses.

Currently, there is a disease such as respiratory chlamydia. It is known that chlamydia most often causes diseases of the genitourinary system. Despite this, these microorganisms can enter the human body through the upper respiratory tract, causing bronchitis, pneumonia or bronchial asthma. This pathology is diagnosed in both children and adults. What is the etiology, clinical picture and treatment of respiratory chlamydia?

In addition to the airborne route, these microorganisms can be transmitted through household contact, sexual contact and vertical transmission. Females are more susceptible to this infection. Respiratory chlamydia in children can develop immediately after birth. In this case, various organs can be affected. Very often, pneumonia in newborns is caused by infection of the baby from the mother during passage through the birth canal. Thus, the presence of urogenital chlamydia in the mother is a risk factor for the respiratory form of infection in the baby. The incubation period varies from 2 to 4 weeks.

Clinical manifestations

The symptoms of chlamydia vary. In some cases, the disease occurs hidden. The person is the carrier. The main signs of the pulmonary form of the disease may include:

• cough;
• malaise;
• tearfulness (in children);
• increased body temperature;
• cyanosis;
• nausea;
• vomiting;
• enlarged liver and spleen;
• shortness of breath.

In children and adults, chlamydia often causes inflammation of the bronchi. Most often, this pathology is diagnosed in infants. Symptoms appear gradually. The temperature rarely rises. Most often it remains within normal limits. The main symptom is a dry paroxysmal cough. Gradually the cough becomes productive. The appetite of such children is preserved. Sleep is not affected. General health is satisfactory. During a physical examination, wheezing in the lungs is detected. There are no signs of bronchial obstruction. The disease lasts 1.5-2 weeks.

If chlamydia causes inflammation of the lungs, the symptoms will be slightly different. Patients may complain of:

• cough;
• vomiting;
• change in skin color;
• severe shortness of breath.

The cough is initially dry, then gradually becomes paroxysmal, with sputum production. General health remains satisfactory. Against the background of shortness of breath, children breathe very quickly. Tachypnea is observed. The respiratory rate is about 50-70 per minute. When breathing, wheezing is heard. In severe cases, along with pneumonia, the liver and spleen enlarge. The pulmonary type of chlamydia is more common in children than in adults. Often the respiratory form of the disease occurs as conjunctivitis, affecting the baby’s visual organs. The causative agent is the same. Conjunctivitis in children is manifested by redness of the eyes and the presence of purulent discharge. When examining the conjunctiva, follicles can be detected. Keratitis often develops.

Diagnostic measures

Diagnosis of respiratory chlamydia is difficult due to the fact that a mucosal smear may not reveal the pathogen. This is observed because chlamydia develops inside cells. The most reliable and informative diagnostic method is PCR or serological testing using the ELISA method.

PCR allows you to detect microorganisms in the taken material. The latter may be blood or discharge from the conjunctiva. Using ELISA, it is possible to detect the presence of specific antibodies against chlamydia in the blood. There are also rapid diagnostic methods. Similar test systems are available in pharmacies, but they are less reliable.

In children, congenital chlamydia can be recognized by clinical symptoms. Conjunctivitis in babies is most often diagnosed in the second week after birth. Bronchitis develops a little later. Nonspecific signs of inflammation are accelerated ESR and eosinophilia. A distinctive feature of pneumonia with chlamydia from pneumonia of other origins is that the general health of the patient remains normal, intoxication is absent or mild. During an X-ray examination of the lungs, small focal shadows (infiltrates) are detected.

Treatment tactics

Chlamydia is treated with antibacterial agents (macrolides).

These drugs have a good effect on intracellular microorganisms, in particular chlamydia. Most often, the following drugs from the macrolide group are used to treat chlamydial infection: Azithromycin (Sumamed), Erythromycin. It is preferable to administer them intravenously. Macrolides are often combined with Biseptol, sulfonamides, and Furazolidone. The course of treatment is determined by the doctor. If a child develops conjunctivitis, antibiotics are used in the form of an ointment.

If the respiratory tract is affected, the doctor may prescribe Erespal. It is taken in the form of syrup. "Erespal" has an anti-edematous effect, promotes the expansion of the bronchi. In addition, it reduces the viscosity of sputum, thereby preventing or eliminating obstruction. If the disease has a recurrent course, it is advisable to prescribe immunostimulants. For this purpose, sodium nucleinate, Pentoxyl, and Cycloferon are used. Immediately after the course of treatment, a control laboratory test (ELISA or PCR) is required. This is done after 1.5-2 months.

Prevention measures

It is necessary to know not only the causes of the development of respiratory chlamydia and its treatment, but also preventive measures. It is carried out in relation to all three links of the infectious process: the source of infection, routes and factors of transmission and susceptibility of the body. An important measure to prevent intrauterine infection or infection of children at birth is mass examination of pregnant women and their treatment. To avoid infecting the baby after birth, isolation and simple hygiene measures are required. There is no specific prevention of respiratory chlamydia.

Thus, chlamydia can be sexual and respiratory. In the latter case, children are more likely to suffer. If signs of infection are detected, you need to contact a specialist who will prescribe adequate therapy (antibiotics). It is not advisable to be treated at home.

Respiratory chlamydia occurs in adults and children; the disease affects the respiratory system and human well-being. When the respiratory center is affected by chlamydia, a number of characteristic symptoms occur, as well as concomitant diseases that affect the quality of life.

The causative agent of the disease

Chlamydia of the respiratory tract is an infectious disease. The causative agent of the disorder is the microbe Chlamydia.

The disease seriously affects the condition of the bronchi, resulting in bronchial asthma or bronchitis. The disorder then spreads to the lungs.

The respiratory form of the disease has an inactive and active form. In the first case, chlamydia is outside the cells, where they cannot reproduce or grow. With inactive chlamydia, a person does not experience discomfort, but is a carrier of the disease.

Signs and symptoms

In most cases, respiratory chlamydia has clear symptoms, but it does not have specific signs, so it is often confused with other lung diseases and attempts are made to cure it on its own.

Main signs of the disease:

In its acute form, the disease lasts for 2-3 weeks; chronic respiratory chlamydia regularly worries a person.

Treatment of respiratory chlamydia in adults

Therapy to eliminate chlamydia is prescribed by the attending physician. Elimination of the disease is carried out using antibiotics from the macrolide group. Sumamed, erythromycin or azithromycin are most often prescribed.

Erespal is used to relieve coughing and normalize breathing. The syrup has an anti-edematous effect, due to which it allows the bronchi to expand. It should also be taken to reduce the viscosity of sputum and relieve obstruction.

A form of respiratory chlamydia that is dangerous to health is treated with intravenous medications. A complicated disease progresses faster, so the person is placed in a hospital and the progress of treatment is monitored. As symptoms subside, men and women are given medications in the form of medications.

The treatment course of taking medications to eliminate respiratory chlamydia lasts longer compared to other forms of the disease. In addition to antibacterial agents, multivitamins, probiotics and agents that help stimulate the immune system are prescribed.

Respiratory chlamydia in children

Babies older than one year are more susceptible to the disease than others, as they are highly sensitive to chlamydia. Diagnosing respiratory chlamydia in a child will be quite simple, since the baby will suffer from a severe cough. It will last for more than a week, and over time can lead to pneumonia or bronchitis.

At the initial stage of development, chlamydia will not differ from a common cold, so many parents make the mistake of trying to eliminate the disease on their own. Dr. Komarovsky (a famous pediatrician and TV presenter) always draws the attention of adults in his show that you cannot treat even a common runny nose on your own.

The disease is transmitted by contact or airborne droplets. More often, infection occurs through saliva or personal hygiene items. Therefore, children who constantly put small objects into their mouths are at risk. Respiratory chlamydia spreads quickly; if at least one student at school or kindergarten has it, then most likely more than half of the children will get it.

Numerous studies in the field of microbiology have led to the fact that macrolide antibiotics are more effective against childhood chlamydia. Your doctor may recommend tablets, intramuscular or intravenous injections. In difficult cases, when chlamydia affects several internal organs at once, a combination of 2 or more drugs is used to ensure normalization of the health of the small patient.

Diagnosis

When diagnosing respiratory chlamydia, a smear is taken from the mucous membrane, but it does not always reveal the pathogen. This is due to the fact that chlamydia develops inside cells, so the most reliable is a PRC analysis or a serological ELISA test.

For PRC, blood or sputum is taken from the lungs. ELISA analysis allows us to determine the presence of antibodies that our body produces during the fight against chlamydia. In addition, there are express tests, but they have low reliability.

In young children, the disease is usually diagnosed during the treatment of conjunctivitis or bronchitis.

A painful cough, general malaise and moodiness of a child become a good reason to show him to a doctor and prescribe a comprehensive examination.

Prevention measures

After an adult or child has had respiratory chlamydia, his or her immunity will be weakened and there will be a high likelihood of reinfection. Therefore, it is better to think about prevention in advance.

To prevent illness, it is enough to follow simple rules:

• carefully monitor personal hygiene;
• undergo a full examination regularly (at least once a year);
• lead a healthy lifestyle and eat right to strengthen your immune system;
• do not contact a sick person;
• Completely treat all diseases, regardless of the presence or absence of symptoms.

There are no specific measures to prevent respiratory chlamydia. To protect yourself from this disease and serious consequences, it is enough to lead a healthy lifestyle and promptly consult a doctor for medical help.

A cough in a child or an adult is not always a sign of just a cold; the underlying disease that it accompanies can be much more dangerous. Pulmonary chlamydia is an infectious pathology that affects the respiratory system. The formation of respiratory chlamydia begins when Chlamydia pneumoniae enters the cells and is accompanied by a dry, severe cough.

General information

There are only three types of chlamydia that pose a danger to humans:

• venereal disease and conjunctivitis are caused by chlamydia Chlamydia trachomatis;
• the pathogen Chlamydia pneumoniae provokes the development of pulmonary chlamydia and pneumonia;
• under the influence of Chlamydia psittaci, ornithosis is formed, which occurs as pneumonia.

Pulmonary chlamydia negatively affects the respiratory organs, provoking the development of bronchial asthma, subsequently affecting the lungs. In this case, the disease can occur in two forms. With latent chlamydia, it is located outside the cell; therefore, its growth and reproduction are absent. However, it can infect other cells and be transmitted to surrounding people. When active, the cell is infected with chlamydia and, while inside, it gradually destroys the tissue. Inflammatory processes in this case proceed very quickly.

Diseases caused by Chlamydia pneumoniae fall into the group collectively called pseudo-chlamydia. In adults and children, infection occurs through airborne droplets during a conversation with an infected person, when he sneezes or coughs. At the same time, the human body is characterized by increased sensitivity to pulmonary chlamydia. In approximately 20-50% of cases, when chlamydia has entered the body, antibodies are produced that remain in the bloodstream after the disease.

Chronic respiratory chlamydia in children and adults develops over a fairly long period, which can be several years. However, pneumonia occurs in only 10% of victims. It should be noted that the routes of transmission of chlamydial infection are not limited to airborne droplets; the pathogen can penetrate the body:

• Through dirty hands, household objects. In this case we are talking about the contact-household method.
• If an infected person does not want to use barrier contraceptives, chlamydia penetrates the victim sexually during intercourse.
• Vertical transmission refers to the infection of a child during birth when the mother has pulmonary chlamydia.

48 hours is enough for the infection to cause disruptions in the functionality of the body's systems. Infection of the upper respiratory tract provokes the appearance of a painful cough against the background of impaired functioning of the ciliated epithelium, which is designed to remove mucus through the throat. In this case, the general well-being of the victim noticeably worsens, the temperature may rise, and as the disease worsens, consciousness may become clouded.

Proven fact. Typically, pulmonary chlamydia in older age groups manifests itself against the background of weak immunity, while women are more often infected than representatives of the stronger sex.

Babies after one year are especially susceptible to infection and are very sensitive to the effects of pathogens. In the case of pulmonary chlamydia, children develop a persistent weekly cough, which often develops into inflammatory processes in the lungs and prolonged bronchitis. The main danger is that the pathology begins to develop like a common cold, making diagnosis at an early stage difficult.

In adults, the general picture differs little from that in children - the chlamydial pathogen enters the body, causing symptoms reminiscent of pneumonia or obstructive bronchitis in the acute stage.

Stages of development and symptoms

When infected with respiratory chlamydia, the first stage is the introduction of pathological microorganisms into the human body, and at first the pathogens live outside the cell. The initial stage is called infectious; as it develops, it enters the reticular phase. During this period, the pathogen colonizes the cell and actively reproduces. At the same time, chlamydia in the lungs triples or even quadruples its amount. Two or three days after infection, the cell is destroyed and pathological microorganisms are released into the surrounding tissues and bloodstream. As you can see, a few hours are enough for the development of respiratory chlamydial pathologies. At the same time, quite often newborn children have to deal with a generalized infection, when the lesion affects various organs. In some cases, respiratory pathologies directly affect lung tissue.

As for symptoms, they can be quite varied - or completely absent if the respiratory infection is hidden. The main signs indicating that a child or adult is in danger include:

• The appearance of a strong persistent cough.
• Weakness and general malaise.
• The child becomes capricious and whiny.
• An increase in temperature can also be considered a symptom.
• Nausea and vomiting attacks, cyanosis and shortness of breath occur.
• There is an excessive enlargement of the spleen and liver.

With respiratory chlamydia, inflammation of the bronchi is often observed, but the main symptom is a dry cough. An increase in temperature is observed quite rarely, appetite is not impaired, and insomnia does not occur. When listening, wheezing is observed in the lung area, although there are no signs of bronchial blockage. The duration of the pathology is from one and a half to two weeks.

With inflammatory processes in the lung tissues, the signs of the disease are somewhat different; victims may complain of coughing, vomiting, increased shortness of breath and changes in skin tone. The cough at the beginning of the development of the pathology is dry, but sputum gradually appears. Overall the condition is satisfactory. As a result of shortness of breath, children and adults begin to inhale and exhale noticeably more often - approximately 50-70 times/minute. At the same time, wheezing appears in the pulmonary area. In especially severe cases, in addition to inflammatory processes, symptoms include enlargement of the liver and spleen.

The pulmonary form of the pathology is more common in children than in adults. Often the result of the respiratory form is the course of the disease according to the conjunctive type, and the organs of vision are affected. Redness of the eyes and purulent discharge are observed; examination of the conjunctiva may reveal the presence of follicles; the formation of keratitis is possible.

Diagnostics

Treatment of the disease is preceded by diagnosis, carried out in two ways:

• The genetic component of chlamydia in the sputum is determined. If the DNA of pathogenic microorganisms is present, we can talk about the fact of infection.
• Specific antibodies present in the victim’s blood are detected - IgA, IgM. They form in the body at an early stage of the disease and disappear after effective therapy. If only the IgG type is detected, they speak of a previous infection.

Principles of treatment

After examination and diagnosis, treatment of respiratory chlamydia in children and adults is carried out jointly by a pulmonologist and a therapist; in some cases, consultation with an immunologist is required. Pulmonary chlamydia requires the mandatory use of antimicrobial drugs in the treatment process: macrolides, fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines.

Treatment periods range from 10 days to three weeks - the main role in determining the duration of the course is played by the type of disease, acute or chronic. In a mild form of the disease, one drug may be sufficient, but in a complicated process, various drugs are combined to eliminate the inflammatory process and kill chlamydia. As a rule, macrolides are prescribed simultaneously with Biseptol and other sulfonamide drugs. The duration of such treatment reaches 10-14 days.

When conjunctivitis occurs, antimicrobial agents are used in the form of ointments; in the presence of chlamydial pneumonia, intramuscular or intravenous injections are prescribed. If there is a recurrent course of pulmonary chlamydia, it is necessary to prescribe immunostimulating therapy.

Children and adults must take multivitamins and immune boosters. When the upper respiratory tract is affected when coughing, drugs are used to better discharge sputum - for example, Erespal. To prevent the development of dysbiosis or eliminate its consequences, the use of probiotics is prescribed.

Drugs for treatment

When respiratory chlamydia develops, broad-spectrum antimicrobial drugs combined with antifungal agents are often used. Cifazolin, whose effectiveness is time-tested, Clarithromycin or Erythromycin may be prescribed. These drugs are relatively safe and, when used, are quite well tolerated by children. Another widely used drug is Azithromycin, also known as Summed. This remedy belongs to the macrolide group of substances; its use allows you to quickly eliminate the pathology.

Sumamed has a minimal number of contraindications; therefore, it is used for therapy in various age groups. It is allowed to take the medicine even in the absence of obvious symptoms, while using Sumamed you can practically not worry about side effects, since they are kept to a minimum.

Attention! When using Sumamed, you must follow certain rules; the treatment regimen is developed only by the treating specialist.

It should be remembered that no omissions are allowed when taking the drug, since this approach can eliminate the effectiveness of the treatment and will require a repeat course, often using other medications. The therapy in which Sumamed is used is carried out using a universal scheme - the victim takes only one capsule per week. The duration of treatment is 21 days, but the dosage should be selected individually.

Antibiotics belonging to the tetracycline group - and this is Doxycycline or Tetracycline - are not prescribed to patients under 14 years of age. However, these drugs are great for adults. The group of fluoroquinolones includes Levofloxacin and Ciprofloxacin; they are prescribed in case of intolerance to tetracyclines or macrolides.

In case of decreased immunity, immunomodulatory drugs are used together with vitamin complexes, most often prescribed:

• Immunal - this immunomodulatory drug for adult patients contains alcohol, therefore, after taking the drug, driving is prohibited, especially since this substance is absorbed quite quickly.
• Bestim is another immunomodulatory drug that is prescribed for decreased immunity.
• The Vitrum vitamin complex includes a huge amount of vitamins with useful minerals. It is used to eliminate vitamin deficiency and is prescribed to both adults and children.
• The medicinal vitamin Alphabet helps stimulate certain processes in the body that contribute to the overall growth of immunity.

Anti-cough medications for this pathology are used after the diagnosis is made and for a short period of time. Expectorants are used exclusively with antimicrobial drugs or after a course of treatment with them under strict supervision by the treating specialist.

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Most people know that chlamydia is a type of STD. But there are cases when a pathogenic bacterium enters the human body through airborne droplets, affecting the respiratory system. In this case, they talk about such an ailment as respiratory chlamydia. Respiratory chlamydia is one of the strains of bacteria of this type; they usually affect children; in adults, this form of the disease is very rare. In frequent cases, the pathology affects the respiratory system from birth.

Description

Respiratory chlamydia is very different from other forms of the disease, because its occurrence is provoked by other types of pathogens. Most often, the disease is caused by bacteria such as Chlamydia trachomatis, Chlamydia pneumoniae and Chlamydia psittaci. All this causes difficulties in treatment, since different types of bacteria react in their own way to antibacterial drugs.

This pathology most often occurs in children; parents always confuse the signs of its manifestation with the symptoms of acute respiratory infections or acute respiratory viral infections. A child becomes infected either in the womb, when passing through the birth canal, or through contact with a carrier of the infection in the maternity hospital. This pathology spreads throughout the human body, affecting various organs and tissues.

Ways of transmission of the disease

The routes of transmission of the disease are also different; the infection can enter the human body, in particular the lungs, in different ways:

1. Airborne, in which pathogenic bacteria enter the body when a person inhales air. When a person coughs or sneezes, he releases aerosols containing bacteria into the external environment. Chlamydia, which is in the air, joins these aerosols; they enter the bronchi, and then the lungs of a person when he inhales. Then the microorganisms multiply, provoking the formation of a pathological process in the body.
2. Antenatal infection, in which the pathogen is transmitted from a mother infected with urogenital chlamydia until the time of birth. To prevent this from happening, during pregnancy women conduct research for the presence of various infections in the body. If chlamydia is found, it is treated with antibiotics. The newborn baby is also examined.
3. Contact and household route, which most often affects the mucous membranes of the eyes. Infection can occur through contact with household items, linen, or contaminated hands of another person. But all this happens extremely rarely, since the bacterium dies very quickly in the external environment.
4. Contact with sick birds. The source of infection in this case is domestic and wild birds; workers of farms and poultry farms are mainly susceptible to the disease.

Adults suffer from this disease only if their immune system is severely impaired. At risk among adults are the elderly, HIV-infected people and patients with cancer.

Causes

The bacteria that cause the development of respiratory chlamydia are known in all countries of the world. The disease mainly affects children during childbirth of a woman with this pathology. Children often become infected from medical workers through their hands, which have not been disinfected, as well as through underwear and toys. Bacteria such as Chlamydia trachomatis, Chlamydia pneumoniae or Chlamydia psittaci most often enter the body through airborne droplets.

Bacteria settle on the mucous membrane, and then spread to all cells, where they multiply. After this, the number of bacteria in the body increases fourfold. Chlamydia destroys cells, the infection begins to spread throughout all organs. Chlamydia is most often observed in the lungs; they gradually begin to destroy them. For respiratory chlamydia to develop, two days must pass from the moment of infection.

One of the reasons for the development of pathology is a decrease in immunity. This may be due to a lack of vitamins in the body, as well as seasonal factors. Therefore, doctors recommend including fresh vegetables and fruits in your diet.

Symptoms and signs

Regardless of how a person became infected with this disease, the symptoms of respiratory chlamydia are different. It depends, first of all, on what level the mucous membrane is affected. The incubation period of the disease can last up to two weeks, after which the first signs of pathology appear, which are similar to those with ARVI. First, the temperature rises, a slight cough and runny nose appear. Over time, the cough intensifies, and spasms of the respiratory tract are observed. Signs of the disease gradually intensify; if the disease is not treated in time, the infection will provoke the development of pneumonia.

In children, the disease develops gradually. First, the child has a sore throat, mucus accumulates in the nose, and then the lungs become infected and pulmonary chlamydia develops, which is the most dangerous form of the disease, accompanied by various complications.

There are no specific symptoms for this disease. Therefore, its treatment is the same as for ARVI, in some cases the disease is completely cured.

Signs of pathology in children

This disease in children occurs in the form of:

1. Chlamydial conjunctivitis, which affects the child's eyes. The main symptom here is a change in the eyeball, the appearance of redness in both eyes and purulent discharge, while the state of health remains normal. Lymph nodes in the area of ​​the ears often become enlarged. If treatment is not carried out, the symptoms disappear within a month, and the disease becomes chronic.
2. Chlamydial bronchitis, which affects the respiratory tract. This form of the disease is most often observed in newborns. The body temperature does not increase, but a dry cough appears, which is characterized by prolonged attacks. After this, the child’s well-being worsens.
3. Chlamydial pneumonia, which causes infection of the lungs. Pulmonary chlamydia has pronounced symptoms. The child develops a severe cough, accompanied by vomiting and cyanosis, and shortness of breath gradually appears. This form of the disease is very complex and poses a danger to a young body. In some cases, the disease leads to the development of pleurisy, pneumothorax, and other things.

In any form of this disease, an enlargement of the liver and spleen is observed, and enterocolitis often develops. The disease can go away on its own, without any treatment.

Nosological forms of the disease in adults

First, the pathology develops in the form of ARVI, then nasopharyngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis and pneumonia. Chlamydia in the lungs after some time causes intoxication of the entire body. Thus, respiratory chlamydia manifests itself as:

1. Acute respiratory infection (ARVI), which causes a prolonged cough, runny nose, and pain in the joints. This form of the disease has a long course and often develops into chronic chlamydia.
2. Laryngotracheitis, characterized by inflammation of the larynx and trachea, swelling of the mucous membrane, difficulty breathing. The disease manifests itself in enlarged lymph nodes, a barking cough, and an increase in temperature.
3. Bronchitis or asthma with chlamydia manifests itself in the form of cough, shortness of breath, and attacks of suffocation. Often, immediate medical attention is required.
4. Pneumonia, characterized by severe course. It is observed when chlamydia is present in the lungs; symptoms in adults manifest themselves in the form of severe coughing, wheezing, sputum production mixed with pus, acidosis, and pain in the chest area.

Extrapulmonary forms of the disease

Respiratory chlamydia can also affect other organs and systems of the human body. It can appear in the form:

1. Reactive arthritis, in which chlamydia affects the joints of the limbs, as well as the temporomandibular joints. With untimely treatment, polyarthritis develops. Pathology begins to appear one month after infection. Signs of its manifestation are swelling of the joint, an increase in its size, and redness of the skin. Over time, body temperature increases, weakness and back pain appear.
2. Conjunctivitis, manifested in photophobia, swelling of the eyelids, redness of the eyes, purulent discharge.
3. Pyelonephritis, which occurs in a chronic form. Chlamydia manifests itself in the form of pain in the kidney area, itching when urinating, frequent urge, and increased blood pressure.
4. Urethritis, which is manifested by symptoms such as purulent discharge from the urethra, the development of cystitis or prostatitis. Over time, the urethra narrows, epididymitis, vulvitis, etc. appear.
5. Lymphadenitis, characterized by severe enlargement of the lymph nodes, which is accompanied by pain.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of pathology

To detect pulmonary chlamydia, the doctor prescribes a microbiological examination, chest radiography, blood tests (general and serological), PCR, ELISA, etc. to the patient. Also, to make an accurate diagnosis, a smear is taken from the pharynx for bacterioscopy. Differential diagnosis is of no small importance.

Treatment

Drugs for treatment

After making a diagnosis, the doctor prescribes complex therapy, which includes taking antibiotics, enzymes and vitamins, and immunomodulators. In all countries of the world, respiratory chlamydia is treated with macrolide antibacterial drugs.

In advanced and acute forms of the disease, the doctor prescribes one macrolide drug and another, biseptol drug. The course of treatment is usually about fourteen days. The drug "Erespal" is used as pathogenetic therapy. It helps eliminate swelling, regulate the viscosity and volume of sputum. For relapses of the disease, use Pentoxyl, Lykopid, etc.

Prognosis and prevention

Disease prevention

Compared to other respiratory diseases, chlamydia is rare and does not pose a threat to health. But an advanced disease can cause negative consequences that will be difficult to combat. Therefore, doctors recommend paying due attention to disease prevention.

Preventive measures include several rules. First, it is necessary to isolate the infected to prevent infection of healthy people. The premises must be disinfected. Where was the patient?

Chlamydia must be treated promptly to avoid complications. Masks must be used during treatment. Pregnant women should be screened for infections. Newborn children must be isolated, all rules for caring for them must be followed, as well as hygiene.

How to identify and treat respiratory chlamydia

Respiratory chlamydia (pulmonary) is an infectious disease that affects the respiratory tract. The causative agent of the infection is bacteria from the genus Chlamydia. The greatest danger to humans is chlamydia pneumoniae and its strains.

This type of chlamydia is transmitted by airborne droplets and household contact, so young children are at risk, but infection also occurs quite often in adults.

Characteristic

This type of disease affects only the respiratory organs; chlamydia penetrates the mucous membrane of the lungs, trachea, and sinuses. The incubation period lasts from 2 weeks to one month.

The first stage of the disease is called infectious; this is the period when the pathogen has entered the body, but has not yet penetrated the cells. At the second stage, chlamydia settles in cells where they begin to reproduce. After a few days, the damaged cell is destroyed and the bacteria spread throughout the body.

The causative agent of respiratory chlamydia can exist in two forms:

1. Passive (outside the body) – chlamydia are in dormant mode (do not reproduce, do not grow);
2. Active (body cells) – active growth and reproduction of microorganisms occurs. At the same time, they absorb energy and nutrients from damaged cells.

The danger is that pulmonary chlamydia has similar symptoms to the common cold, so in most cases the initial treatment is carried out incorrectly, which leads to the development of serious complications.

In children, respiratory chlamydia can appear immediately after birth, and the inflammation is localized not only in the lungs, but also spreads throughout the body.

Most often, infection of newborn children occurs during the passage of the birth canal of a mother who is infected with urogenital chlamydia.

Symptoms

The symptoms of pulmonary chlamydia are varied.

The main signs of infection include:

1. Obsessive cough.
2. Weakness.
3. Temperature increase.
4. Vomit.
5. Nausea.
6. Muscle pain.
7. Change in skin color.

Symptoms increase gradually, the first sign of the disease may be a runny nose or other manifestations of ARVI, so at first even the doctor does not recognize respiratory chlamydia and prescribes standard antiviral therapy to the patient.

After a certain period of time, the person’s condition begins to deteriorate, a cough appears, which is accompanied by spasms, and the temperature rises. If the necessary diagnostic examinations are not carried out in time and the patient is not given proper treatment, the disease will develop into chlamydial pneumonia.

Diagnosis of respiratory chlamydia is carried out in two ways:

1. PCR – this research method allows you to detect pathogenic microorganisms in the patient’s biomaterial (sputum, blood).
2. ELISA - using this method, you can determine whether there are specific antibodies against a strain of chlamydia in the patient’s blood.

Treatment

To eliminate the disease, taking antibacterial drugs is mandatory.

Pulmonary chlamydia requires an integrated approach; usually the doctor prescribes the following drugs:

1. Antibiotics (Sumamed or Azithromycin).
2. Means for regulating immunity (Viferon).
3. Probiotics (Linex).
4. Vitamin complexes.
5. Antitussive drugs.

The course of treatment is at least 14 days.

In adults, respiratory chlamydia is also eliminated with antibacterial drugs, the only difference is in the dosage.

Doctors usually practice step-by-step therapy - the first 2-3 days the patient is given intravenous antibiotic injections. And then they switch to oral administration and change the drug.

In case of a mild form of the disease, the course of therapy should be at least 7 days; if the patient experiences complications, the duration of antibiotic use increases. The scheme is developed individually by the doctor.

30–60 days after treatment, a control diagnostic study of PCR and ELISA is carried out.

The human body does not develop immunity against chlamydia bacteria, so re-infection is possible.

Extrapulmonary respiratory chlamydia

The causative agents of respiratory chlamydia are bacteria of a special subspecies, which mainly affect only the respiratory system. But sometimes the causative agent of the disease can cause extrapulmonary manifestations.

Such manifestations include:

• conjunctivitis – occurs in 17% of cases of pulmonary chlamydia;
• kidney inflammation – 13%;
• urethritis – 7%;

Preventive measures are primarily aimed at increasing human immunity. It is also necessary to observe the rules of hygiene and eat well.

To prevent mass infection, it is important to adhere to the following recommendations:

1. During treatment, the patient must be isolated from society, and family members must undergo a thorough examination.
2. Follow all recommendations of your attending physician.
3. Regularly ventilate and disinfect the premises.
4. Start treatment immediately after confirmation of the diagnosis.
5. Pregnant women are recommended to undergo screening diagnostics.

The causative agents of the disease in adults and children are Chlamydia trachomatis, pneumoniae and psittaci. Human infection occurs by aerogenic (through the air), contact-household (through household items) and fecal-oral mechanisms. The most common route of infection is airborne transmission. Factors of transmission of chlamydia can be dirty hands, toys, dishes, dust, food, bird feces and feathers. Babies can become infected during childbirth.

• fever;
• cough;
• weakness;
• headache and muscle pain;
• dyspnea;
• grunting breathing;
• vomit;
• rapid breathing.

• fever up to 40 ºC;
• dry mouth;
• thirst;
• muscle and joint pain;
• chest pain;
• rashes;
• nosebleeds;
• signs of conjunctivitis;
• hepatomegaly;
• headache;
• adynamia;
• sleep disturbance;
• depression.

• redness of both eyes;
• swelling of the eyelids;
• mucous discharge;
• lacrimation;
• photophobia.

Complications

• otitis;
• sinusitis;
• eustachitis;
• reactive arthritis;
• respiratory failure;
• liver dysfunction;
• pleurisy;
• pneumothorax;
• abscess formation;
• inflammation of the heart muscle;
• endocarditis;
• meningoencephalitis;
• bronchial asthma;
• COPD;
• hepatitis;
• DIC syndrome;
• polyneuropathy;
• hemolytic anemia;
• keratitis;
• vegetative-vascular dystonia;
• iridocyclitis.

Patient examination plan

• X-ray of the lungs;
• linked immunosorbent assay;
• polymerase chain reaction;
• biopsy examination;
• bronchoscopy.

How to treat the problem

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Respiratory chlamydia - pathogen, symptoms and treatment in children or adults

Adults and children often experience ailments related to the respiratory system. One of them is respiratory chlamydia: its pathogen attacks the respiratory center, causing a number of symptoms characteristic of this disease. To prevent and combat this enemy, it is important to know about the causes of the disease and strictly observe precautions that can prevent infection with chlamydia and avoid complications.

What is respiratory chlamydia

The presented disease is infectious. Pulmonary chlamydia has a characteristic symptom - a debilitating dry cough, and the causative agent is the microbe Chlamydia. This disease affects the bronchi, causing obstructive bronchitis or bronchial asthma, and then affects the lungs. Chlamydia can enter the body not only through the respiratory system, but also through the reproductive system (venereal type).

Sick birds are carriers of the infection. Respiratory chlamydia has its own pathogen, which very quickly enters the body through the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, causing chlamydia of the throat. There are 3 types of chlamydia that are dangerous to people:

1. Chlamydia trachomatis is the causative agent of venereal chlamydia and conjunctivitis.
2. Chlamydia pneumoniae – causes chlamydia of the lungs and pneumonia.
3. Chlamydia psittaci is the main cause of ornithosis (parrot disease), which occurs as pneumonia.

Respiratory chlamydia can be of 2 forms:

How is respiratory chlamydia transmitted? The pulmonary form is associated with the trachea, bronchi, paranasal sinuses, and can be purchased:

• through contact and household contact (unwashed hands, household items);
• airborne droplets (from sneezing, coughing, kissing);
• sexual (during unprotected intercourse);
• from mother to child (vertical transmission).

The infection already 2 days after penetration into a particular organ disrupts the functioning of the cells of the mucous membranes. A painful dry cough develops, because the ciliated epithelium, which removes mucus through the throat, does not cope with its function. With chlamydia, general health worsens, weakness appears, sometimes the temperature rises, and in acute forms the consciousness becomes cloudy.

Respiratory chlamydia in children

Children after one year are more susceptible to infection and are extremely sensitive to the described microorganisms. Pulmonary chlamydia in children causes a cough that does not go away within a week and often develops into prolonged bronchitis and pneumonia. The disease is insidious in that it begins like a cold and is very difficult to distinguish in the early stages. Chlamydia is transmitted by contact through household items and saliva, so children who “put everything in their mouth” are at risk. Often this diagnosis is observed in the entire group in kindergarten.

It is possible that a newborn baby can be infected with chlamydia from the mother. It happens:

• through the placenta;
• during passage through the birth canal;
• in case of ingestion of contaminated amniotic fluid.

Pulmonary chlamydia in adults

As in children, the clinical picture resembles acute obstructive bronchitis or pneumonia. The patient is concerned about decreased performance, decreased concentration, shortness of breath, dry cough, wheezing breathing, and sometimes attacks of suffocation. Pulmonary chlamydia in adults occurs against a background of weakened immunity. It has been noted that women are more susceptible to infection than men - this is a feature of chlamydia.

Symptoms of respiratory chlamydia

The disease starts sluggishly, resembles a simple malaise. It starts with a slight runny nose, dry cough, fever - all signs of a cold. Many people try to cure the disease on their own, but this is rarely possible. Besides, you can do more harm than good. Typical symptoms of respiratory chlamydia include:

• sore throat;
• wheezing breathing;
• wheezing;
• elevated temperature up to 38 degrees and above;
• vomiting (intoxication is mild, but exists);
• paroxysmal cough;
• gradual deterioration of the condition;
• change in skin tone.

Such signs of chlamydia are sometimes unclear and individual, which complicates diagnosis and delays the start of proper treatment. Meanwhile, chlamydia in the throat continues to multiply. Incorrect treatment can cause complications. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis! To avoid trouble, contact a specialist at the first symptoms. He will determine the form and prescribe the necessary medications.

Diagnostics

How to identify and identify an infection, even in a mild form? What research methods are used for a disease such as respiratory chlamydia? Some forms, such as chlamydial bronchitis and pneumonia, are diagnosed infrequently and are not always detected. However, if there is any suspicion of chlamydia infection, diagnosis is carried out using the following clinical methods:

1. General examination of the throat, nose, plus temperature measurement.
2. Method for determining the DNA of microbes (searching for chlamydia in mucus).
3. Blood analysis. During the study, the presence of antibodies is detected. Antibodies of the IgA and IgM type are a sign of the presence of chlamydia. If only IgG bodies are found in the body, this means that the person has already had pulmonary or another form of chlamydia.
4. Ultrasound is an atypical method and is indicated for suspected sexually transmitted chlamydia infection and damage to the genital organs.

Treatment of respiratory chlamydia

The disease is treated by a therapist and a pulmonologist; sometimes a consultation with an immunologist is necessary. Antibiotics are the basis of treatment for chlamydia:

• macrolide groups;
• tetracyclines;
• fluoroquinolones.

Treatment course for respiratory chlamydia: 10-21 days. It all depends on whether the process is acute or chronic. In severe cases, they can combine different drugs that relieve inflammation and destroy chlamydia. Taking the drugs is long-term, because chlamydia can go into dormant forms, which can live for a long time and cause relapses. Multivitamins, drugs that increase immunity (Erespal, which promotes sputum discharge) and probiotics to avoid dysbacteriosis are also prescribed.

Prevention of respiratory chlamydia

Taking preventive measures is easier than treating the active stage of respiratory chlamydia. It can be prevented if:

• observe the rules of hygiene;
• Pregnant women should be regularly examined and, if necessary, treated to avoid infection of the newborn;
• complete the entire course for those who are infected to reduce the risk of infection to loved ones;
• limit contact with sick people;
• strengthen the immune system.

Reviews

It turns out that a banal, frivolous failure to wash your hands can lead to illness? Thank you for your warning. Unfortunately, people often self-medicate, come to the pharmacy and ask for “something for a cough.” This is a huge mistake, because, as we see from this article, coughs are not only caused by colds and allergies. Arming yourself with knowledge is the path to health!

Erespal is a good, proven drug against chlamydia. It is also prescribed to children. It helped my child well when he had a long cough. It helps with allergic coughs - relaxes, relieves spasms, protects against night attacks. That is, for all respiratory diseases. But every body is individual, in any case, you need to consult a doctor!

Many people feel general weakness, considering it fatigue or a cold. I thought so too, I started treating ARVI. But the strong dry cough and fever did not go away. It turned out that I have chlamydia in the lungs and upper respiratory tract, in a mild form. After the tests, they prescribed a full “bouquet” of medications. It all happened in about a week. I got away with a slight fright!

The information presented in the article is for informational purposes only. The materials in the article do not encourage self-treatment. Only a qualified doctor can make a diagnosis and make recommendations for treatment based on the individual characteristics of a particular patient.

Pulmonary chlamydia

The disease, called pulmonary chlamydia, is caused by the microorganism chlamydia.

It is mainly the bronchi that suffer from this disease, so pulmonary chlamydia often “walks” alongside such ailments as bronchitis, pneumonia, bronchial asthma, etc.

The saddest thing is that children are most susceptible to this disease. They develop a non-productive cough, and after paying attention to this, doctors prescribe special tests, make a diagnosis and decide on a treatment regimen.

Pulmonary chlamydia - what is it?

Important: chlamydia is a risk of getting coronary heart disease!

Bacteria called chlamydia affect the respiratory system, penetrating the mucous membranes of the nasal sinuses, pharynx, trachea and bronchi. Already three days after infection, they are able to stop the vital activity of mucous membrane cells in the respiratory organs. The ciliated epithelium, which is supposed to remove mucus from the respiratory tract, suffers most from chlamydia.

There are three types of chlamydia, which can be caused by various diseases:

• Chlamydia pneumoniae. May cause pneumonia.
• Chlamydia trachomatis. It affects the mucous membranes of the eyes and the genitourinary system.
• Chlamydia psittaci. It provokes the development of ornithosis - a “parrot disease”, with symptoms similar to pneumonia.

Forms of existence of chlamydia:

• Passive. Bacteria “sleep” outside a living organism. They do not grow or reproduce, but they can “leak” into a human cell and begin to progress.
• Active. Chlamydia multiplies and grows in tissue cells, while destroying them, taking away useful elements and energy.

The effect of antibiotics on chlamydia can lead to their transition to the L-form, which from time to time will provoke an exacerbation of chlamydia.

Important: infants and slightly older children are most susceptible to pulmonary chlamydia!

How can you become infected with chlamydia?

Chlamydia appears in the lungs or other organs through everyday life: through saliva, bath products, kisses, handshakes, etc. Therefore, in kindergartens, children often suffer from this disease in groups, and in schools - in entire classes. There are also numerous cases where entire families were infected with chlamydia, which indicates a person’s high susceptibility to this infection.

The “keepers” and sources of infection are usually wild or domestic birds. They transmit the disease through airborne droplets or airborne dust. The greatest epidemiological danger comes from pigeons living in the city. The causative agent of chlamydia most often penetrates through the mucous membranes of the respiratory system.

Chlamydia initially multiplies in the cells that form the mucous layer, then they spread through the lymphatic and blood vessels.

Pulmonary chlamydia - symptoms

Symptoms of pulmonary chlamydia appear in stages. Most often, when a person has chlamydia, the bronchi become inflamed. This problem is especially acute among infants and one-year-olds. The insidiousness of the disease is that there is no acute manifestation, such as fever, for example. The main symptom is a dry cough that comes in attacks. Moreover, with chlamydia, neither sleep nor appetite suffers - the general condition of the infected person remains normal. The doctor may hear wheezing in the lungs, but the bronchi are not blocked. The duration of the illness lasts approximately two weeks.

If chlamydia inflames the lungs, then the symptoms of chlamydia will manifest themselves in the form of:

• severe shortness of breath;
• cough;
• changes in skin color;
• vomiting.

At the first stage, the cough is dry, then the person begins to suffer from coughing attacks, during which sputum is released. This has virtually no effect on your general well-being, except for a little shortness of breath. In children, breathing quickens to 70 per minute, wheezing and whistling are heard.

There are severe cases of chlamydia, when the spleen and liver grow in size along with pneumonia. The disease can also occur as conjunctivitis, affecting the mucous membrane of the eye. In this case, pus is released from the eyes, they become red and watery. The doctor, examining the patient, can see the follicles. All these troubles become a “platform” for the development of keratitis.

Weak symptoms of pulmonary chlamydia lead to people starting to treat a common cold cough. This does not end in success; patients still go to the clinic, but precious time has already been lost.

Important: pulmonary chlamydia, like all other diseases, is better treated at an early stage!

How is pulmonary chlamydia diagnosed?

To determine the presence of the disease, a series of laboratory tests must be performed. To do this, the patient submits:

• sputum, which is examined for the presence of chlamydia DNA;
• blood in which chlamydia types IgA and IgM are looked for. If they are present, the person is infected, but if only IgG bacteria are found, then the person has already experienced chlamydia.

How to treat chlamydia

Almost all people, having heard a dry cough, begin to treat it with expectorants. This is fundamentally wrong. Firstly, eliminating the only symptom of chlamydia, which is a cough, extremely complicates the task of a doctor trying to make a correct diagnosis. Secondly, most modern drugs that are designed to fight colds cannot destroy chlamydia. Moreover, dangerous microorganisms feel great in the environment of antitussive drugs and continue to grow, destroying the body.

Important: when starting to treat a cough on your own, you should know that expectorants used for pulmonary chlamydia can cause mucus retention in the bronchi, and this is fraught with dangerous consequences!

To eliminate chlamydia, antibiotics of the macrolide class are chosen, as well as tetracycline drugs and fluoroquinolones. Macrolides (clarithromycin, azithromycin, erythromycin) are better suited for children because they do not create many side effects. Tetracycline drugs are contraindicated in pregnant women and people with liver problems.

There are a variety of macrolides in tablets. The “progenitor” of these antibiotics is erythromycin. It is prescribed at 400–500 mg every six hours. As for Josamycin, produced in the form of dispersible tablets of 1 g or emulsion, it is also widely used in the treatment of chlamydia. The usual dosage of the emulsion is 500 mg three to four times a day. The daily dose of tablets is 1–2 g twice a day.

Adult patients (over 14 years of age) are usually prescribed tetracycline or doxycycline. If the patient is intolerant to macrolides and tetracycline drugs, then he is prescribed fluoroquinolones (levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin).

Clarithromycin and azithromycin are the best macrolides because they are more effective at killing chlamydia. If bacteremia (the presence of bacteria in the blood) is suspected, then clarithromycin is preferred, and azithromycin is not prescribed.

As for antitussive drugs, they are prescribed for a short time, and then only in cases where the cough is too aggressive. Expectorant medications are used only with antibiotics, or after an antibiotic course.

Prevention of chlamydia

Preventive ways to prevent chlamydia are to control the three stages of infection: source, “transmitter” and susceptibility. To prevent intrauterine infection, mass examinations of pregnant women and their treatment are carried out. And also for preventive purposes, the newborn is isolated from the infected mother until the disease is cured.

Important: following basic hygiene rules can protect you from pulmonary chlamydia!

If symptoms of infection are detected, you should immediately contact the clinic, where a specialist will prescribe the necessary therapy.

It is important to remember that treating pulmonary chlamydia at home is dangerous and fraught with complications.

Pulmonary chlamydia: symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

Symptoms and treatment of pulmonary chlamydia in adults and children
Pulmonary form of chlamydia is a disease caused by a microorganism of the genus chlamydia. The disease mainly affects the bronchi; therefore, pulmonary chlamydia often occurs with the development of bronchial asthma and obstructive bronchitis. The disease is most common among young patients. A child suffering from this disease often has a nonproductive cough, which is the main sign of the disease. The disease is determined using special laboratory tests: detection of antibodies to chlamydia in the patient’s blood or detection of chlamydia DNA. Antibiotics from the macrolide class are used in the treatment of this disease. fluoroquinolones or tetracyclines.

What is chlamydia and what is its life cycle?

Pulmonary chlamydia can be caused by all types of bacteria at the same time. Psittacosis, also called parrot disease, symptoms resemble pneumonia.

The existence of bacteria of this type is possible in the following forms:
Passive form (outside the human body). Microorganisms are in a “dormant” state. They do not produce their own kind and do not increase in size. But they can get into cells and cause disease.
Active form (in body tissues). Bacteria increase in size and multiply. At the same time, they take energy and nutrients from the affected tissues, leading to their destruction.

Under the influence of antibiotics, these bacteria can transform into L-forms, which are found in the affected body and from time to time provoke exacerbations of chlamydia.

How can you become infected with chlamydia?

The pulmonary form of chlamydia spreads through household items, saliva, that is, through contact. Therefore, children often suffer from chlamydia as a whole group in kindergarten.

What is the pulmonary form of chlamydia?

Pulmonary chlamydia is infection of the respiratory system by chlamydia. Chlamydia very easily penetrates the mucous membrane of the bronchi, trachea and paranasal sinuses. Within two days from the moment of penetration into the tissue, the bacteria stop the activity of the cells of the mucous membrane of the respiratory organs ( especially the ciliated epithelium, which removes mucus from the respiratory system), and also destruct the epithelium of the respiratory organs. Babies after one year are more susceptible to this disease.

Signs and symptoms of pulmonary chlamydia

There are two types of manifestations of pulmonary chlamydia: asthma And obstructive bronchitis.

The most common and main symptom of both types of illness is a recurring nonproductive cough. In children, cough can be combined with wheezing breathing, inflammation of the pharynx, and attacks of suffocation. The increase in body temperature is usually within thirty-eight degrees. Gradually, the cough develops into a wet form and occurs in attacks. The patient's condition gradually becomes more complicated. A similar clinical picture indicates the appearance of an inflammatory process in the lungs.

Such an uncharacteristic course of the disease, as well as the invisibility of signs, makes it very difficult to detect the disease, as well as to initiate therapy in the early stages. The overwhelming number of mothers and fathers of children suffering from chlamydia try to eliminate the cough on their own. But usually, no conventional methods of treating a cold cough help, and can even harm the child.

Definition of pulmonary chlamydia

To determine pulmonary chlamydia, two methods are used:

1. Detection of chlamydia DNA particles in the patient’s bronchial mucus. If chlamydia DNA is found in the sputum, then this definitely indicates chlamydia.

2. Detection of antibodies against chlamydia in the patient's blood. If antibodies of the type are detected in the patient's blood IgA And IgM, this indicates the presence of chlamydia in the body. Antibodies are produced in the first weeks of the disease and disappear only after the infection is completely eliminated. If only bodies are found in the body IgG, which means the patient has already had chlamydia.

Chlamydia therapy

Most often, therapy for chlamydia consists of “cough treatment.” This tactic is wrong because:
Due to a number of features of the biology of chlamydia, already described earlier, these microorganisms cannot be destroyed by the vast majority of modern antibiotics that are used in the empirical treatment of bronchial inflammation ( therapy that is carried out without accurate detection of the pathogen). This difference in pulmonary chlamydia often causes failures in the treatment of the disease, which may resemble bronchial inflammation in its course.

The use of expectorants in the treatment of cough caused by pulmonary chlamydia slightly reduces the manifestation of the disease only for a certain period of time ( usually in babies).
The use of expectorants that activate the evacuation of liquid mucus, which occurs with paralysis of the ciliated epithelium caused by chlamydia, often causes retention of mucus in the bronchi, and this can lead to serious complications. At the same time, the causative agent of the disease itself feels great and continues to destroy the body.

The use of antitussive drugs inhibits the development of cough ( the only manifestation of the disease). This is also bad, since in the absence of other signs, the doctor cannot make a diagnosis or at least suspect the disease and prescribe treatment in a timely manner.

Chlamydia treatment regimen
The treatment regimen for chlamydia used by modern doctors necessarily involves the use of antibiotics from the macrolide group (clarithromycin, azithromycin, erythromycin). Macrolides cause fewer side effects and are more indicated in the treatment of children.

Antibiotics from the tetracycline group (doxycycline, tetracycline) are prohibited for the treatment of children under fourteen years of age, but are used in the treatment of the disease in adult patients.

If the patient cannot tolerate tetracyclines and macrolides, he is allowed to be prescribed drugs from the fluoroquinolone group ( levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin).

Antitussive drugs in the case of pulmonary chlamydia are prescribed only after an accurate diagnosis and only for a short period ( if the baby's cough is very strong).

Expectorants are used exclusively in combination with antibiotics or after stopping antibiotics ( during this period, the function of the ciliated epithelium is restored), and also only after consulting a therapist.

Features of the treatment of respiratory chlamydial infection

In children and adults, a pathology such as respiratory chlamydia is often diagnosed. This disease affects the organs of vision, bronchi, trachea and lung tissue. Chlamydia is often detected in newborns.

Along with typical pathogens, pneumonia and bronchitis can be caused by atypical microbes. These include chlamydia. These are microorganisms that have the properties of bacteria and viruses. Respiratory chlamydia differs from urogenital chlamydia in its mechanism and possible routes of infection. With this pathology, infection most often occurs through contaminated objects and an aerogenic mechanism.

Chlamydial infection can lead to acute respiratory infections, conjunctivitis, laryngotracheitis (combined inflammation of the trachea and bronchi), pneumonia and asthma. Otherwise, this disease is called ornithosis. In the absence of proper treatment, complications develop in the form of meningitis, enlarged liver and spleen, heart failure and thromboembolism.

Causes of infection and characteristics of the pathogen

The causative agents of the disease in adults and children are Chlamydia trachomatis, pneumoniae and psittaci.

Human infection occurs by aerogenic (through the air), contact-household (through household items) and fecal-oral mechanisms. The most common route of infection is airborne transmission.

Factors of transmission of chlamydia can be dirty hands, toys, dishes, dust, food, bird feces and feathers. Babies can become infected during childbirth.

Once in the body, chlamydia begins to actively multiply, causing inflammation of the respiratory tract. Initially, the larynx and trachea are affected, and then the bronchi and lung tissue.

Development of chlamydial pneumonia

Pulmonary chlamydia often develops. Symptoms of the disease are determined by the type of pathogen. Pneumonia caused by Chlamydia pneumoniae is diagnosed between the ages of 5 and 35 years. The disease is characterized by gradual development. An acute course is less common. It is characterized by the following symptoms:

• fever;
• cough;
• weakness;
• headache and muscle pain;
• dyspnea;
• grunting breathing;
• vomit;
• mild cyanosis of the skin;
• rapid breathing.

Signs of intoxication of the body appear already on the 3rd day of the disease. In the subacute course of chlamydial pneumonia, symptoms initially appear that resemble acute respiratory infections. These include chills, rhinorrhea, sore throat and cough. When listening to the lungs, wheezing is detected. With this form of pneumonia, the symptoms of respiratory failure are mild.

If the causative agent of the disease is Chlamydia trachomatis, then pneumonia most often develops gradually. It is often preceded by conjunctivitis. Chlamydia of the lungs is manifested by a dry, paroxysmal cough, tachypnea, vomiting, cyanosis, an increase in respiratory rate to 50–70 per minute and increasing shortness of breath. There are no reprises. Often these people have an enlarged liver.

Pulmonary chlamydia of the psittacosis type develops after a short incubation period. Possible prodromal phenomena in the form of nausea, lack of appetite and low-grade body temperature. Then the following symptoms occur:

• fever up to 40 ºC;
• dry mouth;
• thirst;
• muscle and joint pain;
• chest pain;
• productive cough with the release of mucopurulent sputum;
• rashes;
• nosebleeds;
• signs of conjunctivitis;
• hepatomegaly;
• headache;
• adynamia;
• sleep disturbance;
• depression.

Signs of intoxication are very pronounced. In severe cases, delusions and hallucinations may occur. With the meningeal form of psittacosis, symptoms of asthenia, arterial hypotension, nausea, vomiting and headache appear. Sometimes there are signs of dysfunction of the digestive system in the form of constipation, diarrhea and abdominal pain. The disease can drag on for a month or more.

Other forms of respiratory chlamydia

You need to know not only the causes of the development of respiratory chlamydia, but also how bronchial inflammation occurs. This pathology begins gradually. The general condition of patients most often does not suffer. Chlamydial bronchitis is characterized by a dry, paroxysmal cough and wheezing. The patients' sleep and appetite are preserved.

If chlamydia is present in the bronchi, the cough is initially dry. It intensifies at night. Coughing causes tension in the abdominal muscles, resulting in pain. If no treatment is carried out, then after 5–7 days it becomes productive. The attacks disappear. With bronchitis, shortness of breath does not occur. The disease lasts 10–14 days.

With respiratory chlamydia in children, not only the organs of the respiratory system are affected, but also the eyes. Conjunctivitis develops. It is characterized by the following symptoms:

• redness of both eyes;
• enlarged parotid lymph nodes;
• swelling of the eyelids;
• mucous discharge;
• lacrimation;
• photophobia.

Conjunctivitis is often combined with blepharitis. Along with the eyes, the hearing organ may be affected.

Complications

Chlamydia in the lungs and other organs often causes complications. The following consequences are possible:

• otitis;
• sinusitis;
• eustachitis;
• reactive arthritis;
• respiratory failure;
• liver dysfunction;
• pleurisy;
• pneumothorax;
• abscess formation;
• inflammation of the heart muscle;
• endocarditis;
• meningoencephalitis;
• bronchial asthma;
• COPD;
• hepatitis;
• DIC syndrome;
• polyneuropathy;
• hemolytic anemia;
• keratitis;
• vegetative-vascular dystonia;
• iridocyclitis.

Rare complications of chlamydial pneumonia (ornithosis) include thyroiditis and miscarriage. Possible fatalities. Most often they are observed in old age in weakened people. There is evidence that the presence of respiratory chlamydia increases the risk of stroke, atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. Sometimes, against the background of this pathology, the functioning of the digestive tract is disrupted.

Patient examination plan

Diagnosis of respiratory chlamydia can be difficult due to the presence of catarrhal symptoms and mild signs of intoxication. ARVI is often misdiagnosed. To identify respiratory chlamydia, the following tests will be needed:

• percussion and auscultation of the lungs and heart;
• measuring body temperature, respiratory rate, blood pressure and pulse;
• X-ray of the lungs;
• linked immunosorbent assay;
• microscopic examination of sputum;
• polymerase chain reaction;
• biopsy examination;
• general clinical blood and urine tests;
• bronchoscopy.

If complications develop, a biochemical blood test, electrocardiography, ultrasound, electroencephalography and tomography may be required. If meningeal symptoms are present, a spinal tap is performed. When examining the lungs, the following changes are possible:

• harsh, bronchial or weakened vesicular breathing;
• dullness of percussion sound;
• focal, segmental or lobar infiltration;
• moist and crepitating rales.

Most often, bilateral damage is observed. The final diagnosis is made after identifying specific antibodies to chlamydia or the genome of the pathogen. Immunological analysis is very informative. With respiratory chlamydia, an increase in the titer of IgA, IgG, IgM in the blood of patients is observed. To detect them, enzyme immunoassay and microimmunofluorescence reaction are carried out.

How to treat the problem

With the development of respiratory chlamydia, etiotropic, symptomatic and pathogenetic therapy is carried out. The drugs of choice are macrolides. These include Azithromycin Forte, Sumamed, Azitrox, Sumatrolide Solution Tablets, Erythromycin-Lect, Vilprafen, Spiramycin-Vero and Rovamycin. In severe cases, medications are administered intramuscularly or intravenously.

For respiratory chlamydia, mucolytics, expectorants and immunomodulators are often prescribed. For severe fever, antipyretics (Panadol) are indicated. In the presence of chlamydia in the mucous membranes of the bronchi, inhalations are useful. Sometimes vibration massage and bronchial lavage are required.

For conjunctivitis, antibacterial drops and ointments are used. In severe cases, detoxification therapy is carried out. During the rehabilitation period, exercise therapy, breathing exercises and physiotherapy are prescribed. Thus, the appearance of signs of respiratory chlamydia in the form of cough, runny nose and sore throat is a reason to consult a doctor and be examined.

Chlamydia is usually considered a sexually transmitted disease, but there is also a pulmonary form, which doctors call respiratory. It differs in the way of infection. The infection is transmitted by airborne droplets from an infected person, through various objects, feathers and bird feces.

It is enough to spend time next to a sneezing or coughing patient, hold dishes, toys, or other things of an infected person in your hands, pick up feathers from the floor, or accidentally get dirty with bird feces. However, signs of the disease may appear only after a couple of weeks. It all depends on the condition of the body, the method of transmission and the form.

In the pulmonary form, it often manifests itself as:

• ARVI or ARI. A runny nose, prolonged cough, and joint pain appear.
• Asthma or bronchitis. Shortness of breath, coughing and asthma attacks occur.
• Inflammation of the larynx, trachea, swelling of the mucous membrane. It becomes difficult to breathe, the cough resembles a dog barking, the lymph nodes and body temperature increase.
• Pneumonia. The chest begins to hurt, wheezing inside, a severe cough torments, and sputum with pus is released.

There are also 5 extrapulmonary forms with their characteristic symptoms: conjunctivitis, urethritis, reactive arthritis, pyelonephritis, lymphadenitis.

With conjunctivitis, bright light is usually poorly tolerated, the eyes turn red, pus comes out of them, and the eyelids swell. Inflammation of the urethra, or urethritis, manifests itself in painful and burning sensations, purulent discharge, itching and redness of the skin near the genitals.

Reactive arthritis is detected after about a month. Those infected with the bacterium notice that the joint on the arm or leg has become larger, swollen, and redness has appeared. In addition, they began to get tired quickly and often experience back pain, even if they did not spend time actively. And if you use a thermometer, you can see values ​​higher than normal.

You can find out more about chlamydia and its features.

An infectious and inflammatory process in the kidneys (pyelonephritis) makes itself felt by pain, itching, and increased blood pressure. I want to go to the toilet more often. And when the lymph nodes are inflamed (lymphadenitis), balls can be felt, sometimes they can even be seen due to a serious increase in size.

How is the disease diagnosed?

Since there are many forms of respiratory chlamydia, and the symptoms often relate to other diseases, careful diagnosis is needed. One method for identifying bacteria is not enough. So, for pulmonary chlamydia, doctors:

• tap the area of ​​the heart with your fingertips, listen to it with a special instrument;
• measure breathing rate, pulse, body temperature, pressure;
• perform bronchoscopy;
• study the results of general blood and urine tests;
• perform microscopic examination of sputum;
• X-ray of the lungs is prescribed.

These are only the simplest methods; they are often supplemented by more serious ones. In case of complications, an ECG, tomography, biochemical tests, and ultrasound are also needed.

Expert opinion

Artem Sergeevich Rakov, venereologist, more than 10 years of experience

The surest way to determine the presence of the pulmonary form of respiratory chlamydia is to examine a throat swab. The method is bacterioscopic.

Treatment of respiratory chlamydia in adults

Regardless of the form and stage of the disease, an integrated approach is used. You will need to take medications from different groups prescribed by your doctor, adjust your diet, and undergo regular examinations with the necessary tests.

If the diagnosis of “pulmonary chlamydia” is confirmed, antibiotics (tetracyclines, macrolides, fluoroquinolones), cough and sputum expectorants, as well as drugs that strengthen the immune system and the body as a whole are taken. They may also recommend taking probiotics to reduce the risk of damage to the gastrointestinal microflora by antibiotics.

Popular antibacterial and antimicrobial drugs

For the treatment of respiratory chlamydia, the following are most often prescribed:

1. Clarithromycin.
2. Azithromycin (Sumamed).
3. Doxycycline.
4. Tetracycline.
5. Ciprofloxacin.
6. Levofloxacin.

The advantage of Sumamed is a minimum of contraindications and side effects. It is taken even without the presence of obvious symptoms, but be sure to adhere to the regimen prescribed by the specialist.

It is impossible to cure respiratory chlamydia without taking medications that suppress the proliferation of bacteria! Folk remedies can only relieve the symptoms of ARVI and alleviate the condition. It is advisable to choose them together with your doctor.

Antimicrobial drugs are often combined with antifungal drugs. Cifazolin and Erythromycin are considered effective and time-tested.

The average duration of treatment for respiratory chlamydia is 10-21 days. The exact period is determined based on the course of the disease and condition. In acute and advanced forms, macrolide and biseptol drugs, drugs that regulate the volume and viscosity of sputum, are used simultaneously for several weeks.

Vitamins and immunomodulators

If immunity has decreased, you need to support the optimal functioning of internal organs and systems; take multivitamins and immunostimulating agents. Of the multivitamin complexes, Vitrum, Alphavit, Complivit, Duovit, etc. are in particular demand. Immunity is usually supported with the help of Bestim and Immunal.

Cough medications are taken only after diagnosis and for a short period of time, and expectorants are taken strictly under the supervision of a doctor.

Complications

If pulmonary chlamydia is not treated promptly, the following may develop:

1. chronic inflammatory and purulent processes in the bronchi;
2. obstructive bronchitis;
3. bronchial asthma.

In addition, complications of respiratory chlamydia include sinusitis and otitis media, respiratory failure, liver problems, inflammation of the heart muscle, vegetative-vascular dystonia, hepatitis and other diseases.

Some experiments by scientists have shown that the disease increases the risk of atherosclerosis, stroke, as well as Alzheimer's disease and disorders in the gastrointestinal tract. If untimely or improper treatment is used in weakened and elderly people, it can cause death.

Prognosis and prevention

The prognosis depends on the specific form and course of the disease. Acute chlamydial conjunctivitis can go away on its own in 2-4 weeks, but chronic symptoms sometimes persist for months or even years. Recovery from chlamydial bronchitis occurs after 10-14 days, and from pneumonia – after 14-60 days. If a person has become infected with chlamydia from birds, he can continue to be actively treated for one to three months.

Preventative measures are quite simple. The main thing is to prevent transmission of the bacteria by airborne droplets. For this we recommend:

• temporarily isolate the patient, have minimal contact with him and do this wearing a mask;
• pregnant women undergo screening;
• regularly ventilate the room;
• exclude any connection with domestic and wild birds;
• consult doctors in a timely manner and carry out diagnostics;
• observe the rules of hygiene;
• take care of your immunity.

According to statistics, respiratory chlamydia is rare and is not a high-risk disease. However, it is advisable to listen to your own body, record symptoms and get checked by specialists in order to avoid complications and reduce the duration of treatment.