Chlamydia psittaci (parrot fever) contageous?

[orrr]

I was recently tested positive for chlamydia, and I was wondering if the following was a possibility for being infected.
I just watched a documentary on Chlamydia Psittaci / Psittacosis (Parrot Fever), and after a google search, I came up with information that the infection may be transmitted to humans - 'http://www.parrottalk.com/chlamydia.html'
So can a person get chlamydia from an infected bird? I've searched through the articles but it only says "Psittacosis in humans can result in mild to severe disease. In severe cases, humans that are infected often have severe fever with night sweats leading to pneumonia."

Well I am constantly around a parrot which has alot of the symptoms of Chlamydia Psittaci, and after the documentary I decided to get some more information on this. Any more info will be greatly appreciated, thank you.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

There are 3 Chlamydia species that cause disease in humans; although they share a common name, they are not the same.  Chlamydia trachomatis is the cause of genital infection and most strains (but not all) are transmitted only by sex. Chlamydia psittaci is the cause of psittacosis; it is carried by birds and can cause pneumonia in people by airborne transmission.  It is rare, and never sexually transmitted.  No. 3 is Chlamydia pneumoniae, which--as the name suggests--causes pneumonia or other respiratory infections.  It is transmitted through the air, not sexually.  C. pneumoniae also has been implicated in arteriosclerosis, heart attacks, stroke, etc.

Nobody gets genital chlamydial infection from an infected bird, or from a person with respiratory infection.  Sex is the only route of transmission.

I hope that helps.  Best wishes--  HHH, MD