Q fever, also called query fever, is a bacterial infection caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii. The bacteria are most commonly found in cattle, sheep, and goats around the world. Humans typically get Q fever when they breathe in dust that was contaminated by infected animals. Farmers, veterinarians, and people who work with these animals in labs are at the highest risk of being infected. The highest amounts of bacteria are found in the “birth products” (placenta, amniotic fluid) of infected animals.
The disease may cause mild symptoms similar to the flu. However, many people have no symptoms at all. Mild forms of the disease may clear up in a few weeks without any treatment.
In rare cases, a more serious form of disease develops if the infection is chronic, which means it persists for six months (and there are some case reports indicating that it may persist for more than six months). A more serious form also can develop if the infection is recurrent, which means it comes back. People with heart valve problems or weak immune systems are at the highest risk of developing these types of Q fever.
Symptoms of Q fever don’t typically appear until about two to three weeks after exposure to the bacteria. However, it’s possible that you will have the infection and not show any symptoms. If symptoms do appear, they’re generally mild. Symptoms can vary significantly from one person to another. Common symptoms of mild Q fever may include: A high fever, chills or sweats, a cough, chest pain while breathing, a headache, clay-colored stools, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, jaundice, muscle pain and shortness of breath
Treatment depends on the severity of symptoms.
Mild Infection: The milder forms of Q fever usually resolve within a few weeks without any treatment at all.
More Severe Infection: Your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic. Doxycycline is the antibiotic of choice for all adults and children with severe Q fever. You should begin taking it immediately if Q fever is suspected to be the cause of your illness, even before laboratory results are available. Standard duration of treatment is two to three weeks. The symptoms, including fever, should subside within 72 hours. Failure to respond to doxycycline may suggest that the illness isn’t Q fever.
Chronic Infection: Antibiotics are typically given for 18 months if you have chronic Q fever.
Antibiotics are usually very effective, and fatality from the disease is very uncommon. People with endocarditis, however, need an early diagnosis and antibiotics for at least 18 months for a successful outcome.
If you’re at high risk for Q fever and you aren’t vaccinated, you should take the following preventive steps:
Properly disinfect and decontaminate exposed areas.
Properly dispose of all birth materials after a livestock animal has given birth.
Wash your hands properly.
Quarantine infected animals.
Make sure the milk you drink is pasteurized.
Test animals routinely for infection.
Restrict the airflow from barnyards and animal holding facilities to other areas.
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