Q Fever

Overview

Q fever is a rare illness caused by the bacterium C. burnetii. You most commonly get it from inhaling dust contaminated by bodily fluids of infected animals. Chronic Q fever is a serious illness that can cause damage to your heart and other organs. You’re at higher risk for chronic Q fever if you have a history of heart valve or blood vessel issues.

Why is it called Q fever?

The “Q” in Q fever stands for query. It got the name “query fever” when people first started coming down with it (in the 1930s in Australia and the 1940s in the U.S.) because doctors didn’t know what caused it. So they had questions (or “queries”) about the cause of the fever.

What are the symptoms of Q fever?

Initial (acute) symptoms of Q fever are flu-like and start three to 30 days after exposure. Some people continue to have symptoms for over a year after their initial exposure, called Q fever fatigue syndrome (QFS). Others develop symptoms of a more serious infection called chronic Q fever.

Symptoms of acute Q fever

Symptoms of acute Q fever are usually flu-like but can vary a lot. It might cause pneumonia, inflammation of your brain or its covering (encephalitis or meningitis) or inflammation in your liver (hepatitis). Symptoms you might experience include:

1.Fever.

2.Extreme fatigue.

3.Chills.

4.Sweats.

5.Muscle aches.

6.Sensitivity to light (photophobia).

7.Severe headaches.

8.Nausea and vomiting.

9.Diarrhea.

10.Cough.

11.Chest pain.

12.Stomach pain.

13.Rash-like spots under your skin (purpura).

14.Shortness of breath (dyspnea).

Symptoms of Q fever fatigue syndrome (QFS)

About 20% of people with Q fever will have fatigue and other symptoms that continue for months or years after initial exposure. Symptoms of Q fever fatigue syndrome include:

1.Extreme fatigue.

2.Headaches.

3.Sweats.

4.Joint pain.

5.Muscle aches.

Symptoms of chronic Q fever (persistent Q fever)

Chronic Q fever starts months to years after your initial C. burnetii infection, even if you didn’t have symptoms at the time. While it most commonly affects your heart, heart valves and blood vessels, the symptoms can vary depending on what parts of your body are affected.

Symptoms of chronic Q fever include:

1.Low-grade fever.

2.Night sweats.

3.Weight loss.

4.Fatigue.

5.Shortness of breath.

6.Swelling of your legs or feet.

What causes Q fever?

The bacterium Coxiella burnetii causes Q fever. Animals — most commonly cattle, sheep and goats — can carry C. burnetii without symptoms. Bodily fluids (pee, poop, milk and birthing products like amniotic fluid) of infected animals can contaminate the soil, which people breathe in as dust or mist.

How does Q fever spread?

The most common way to get Q fever is through breathing in dust or mist contaminated with C. burnetii. This can happen if you live or work in an area where animals are kept, especially farm animals. Since C. burnetii can travel some distance in the air, you don’t have to have direct contact with animals to get it.

Less common ways to get Q fever include:

1.Eating or drinking unpasteurized dairy products (like milk, cheese or ice cream).

2.Getting bitten by an infected tick.

3.Through pregnancy or during birth, from a pregnant person to their child.

4.Through a blood transfusion.

Is Q fever contagious from person to person?

Q fever isn’t usually contagious. Rarely, there have been cases of a pregnant person transmitting Q fever to their child during pregnancy or birth.

How is Q fever diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will diagnose Q fever by asking you about your symptoms and medical history and by taking a blood sample. They may also ask you if you live or work around animals.

Test results for C. burnetii can take several weeks. If your provider suspects you have Q fever, they might decide to treat you before the results come back.

How do you test for Q fever?

To test for Q fever, your healthcare provider will take a sample of your blood with a small needle. Your sample will be sent to a lab to look for signs of an infection with C. burnetii (testing for antibodies). They may also try to grow (culture) C. burnetii from your sample.

You may need to provide multiple samples over time to get a definitive diagnosis.

How is Q fever treated?

Acute Q fever is treated with antibiotics. Chronic Q fever is often treated with a combination of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications, but it can be hard to treat. Your provider will create a treatment plan based on your specific illness.

If you’ve been diagnosed with Q fever and have a history of heart valve or blood vessel conditions, talk to your provider about being treated proactively to reduce your risk of chronic Q fever.

Can Q fever be cured?

Yes, antibiotics can cure acute Q fever in most people. A small number of people with acute Q fever may have symptoms that last months or years, even with treatment. Chronic Q fever can be harder to cure.

How can I reduce my risk of Q fever?

Ways to reduce your risk of Q fever include:

1.Wear a mask and gloves while handling animal fluids, especially birthing products.

2.Don’t eat or drink unpasteurized dairy products.

3.Some studies suggest that screening for and treating heart valve problems can prevent chronic Q fever in people who’ve been diagnosed with Q fever.

4.If you have a high-risk job and live in an area where a Q fever vaccine is available (currently only in Australia), ask your provider about getting vaccinated.

Talk to your healthcare provider about avoiding Q fever if you live or work around farm animals and you’re at high risk for Q fever complications. This includes anyone with a history of heart valve or blood vessel conditions, pregnant people and those with a weakened immune system.

What can I expect if I have Q fever?

Symptoms of Q fever can last a long time (10 to 90 days), but most people make a full recovery. If you’ve been prescribed antibiotics, you can expect to take them for at least two weeks. About 1 in 5 people will have fatigue that continues for months or years (Q fever fatigue syndrome).

A small number of people (1 to 5%), usually those with underlying conditions, go on to develop chronic Q fever. If you have chronic Q fever, you’ll have to be treated for 18 months or longer.

What is the fastest way to get rid of Q fever?

Antibiotic therapy is used to treat individuals with Q fever. Some mild cases of Q fever may improve without treatment, although antibiotic therapy can usually help reduce the duration of the infection.

How long does it take for Q fever to go away?

Symptoms of Q fever usually last up to 2 weeks.

Is Q fever serious?

Chronic Q fever is serious and can be deadly if not treated correctly. Chronic Q fever infection requires months of antibiotic treatment. Chronic Q fever is more likely to occur in people with heart valve disease, blood vessel abnormalities, or in people with weakened immune systems.

What blood test for Q fever?

PCR. During the acute phase of illness, a sample of whole blood (or serum at some laboratories) can be tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to determine if a patient has Q fever. This method is most sensitive in the first week of illness (before the appearance of C.

What antibiotics treat Q fever?

Most people who are sick with Q fever will recover without antibiotic treatment. However, for people who develop Q fever disease, treatment with 2 weeks of doxycycline antibiotic is recommended.