Prevention
There is no vaccine to prevent Chlamydia pneumoniae infection, but there are steps people can take to help protect themselves.
Hygiene
Like many respiratory diseases, people are likely to spread C. pneumoniae by coughing and sneezing. To keep from getting or spreading the bacteria, wash your hands often. This is especially important after coughing or sneezing. To practice good hygiene, you should:
- Put your used tissue in the waste basket.
- Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands, if you don’t have a tissue.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Antibiotics
C. pneumoniae can sometimes spread to people who have close or lengthy contact with a person with C. pneumoniae infection. However, doctors generally do not prescribe antibiotics to help prevent someone from developing a C. pneumoniae infection if they are exposed to the bacteria.
Previous infections
If you get sick from C. pneumoniae, you may still get sick from it again in the future. Life-long immunity to C. pneumoniae likely does not occur.