Overview

Q fever is an infection caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii. Q fever is usually a mild disease with flu-like symptoms. Many people have no symptoms at all. In a small percentage of people, the infection can resurface years later. This more deadly form of Q fever can damage your heart, liver, brain and lungs.

Q fever is transmitted to humans by animals, most commonly sheep, goats and cattle. When you inhale barnyard dust particles contaminated by infected animals, you may become infected. High-risk occupations include farming, veterinary medicine and animal research.

Mild cases of Q fever clear up quickly with antibiotic treatment. But if Q fever recurs, you may need to take antibiotics for at least 18 months.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Symptoms

Many people infected with Q fever never show symptoms. If you do have symptoms, you'll probably notice them between three and 30 days after exposure to the bacteria. Signs and symptoms may include:

• High fever, up to 105 F (41 C)
• Severe headache
• Fatigue
• Chills
• Cough
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Sensitivity to light

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Causes

Q fever is caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii, commonly found in sheep, goats and cattle. The bacterium can also infect pets, including cats, dogs and rabbits.

These animals transmit the bacteria through their urine, feces, milk and birthing products — such as the placenta and amniotic fluid. When these substances dry, the bacteria in them become part of the barnyard dust that floats in the air. The infection is usually transmitted to humans through their lungs, when they inhale contaminated barnyard dust.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Diagnosis

To diagnose Q fever, your doctor will perform one or more blood tests, along with additional tests if chronic Q fever is suspected.

Lab tests

Your doctor may want to check your blood for antibodies to the Coxiella burnetii antigen and for evidence of liver damage.

Imaging tests

• Chest X-ray. Q fever can cause pneumonia in some people. A chest X-ray can be used to see if your lungs look healthy.
• Echocardiography. If chronic Q fever is suspected, your doctor may do an echocardiogram to check for problems with your heart valves.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Complications

A Q fever recurrence can affect your heart, liver, lungs and brain, giving rise to serious complications, such as:

• Endocarditis. An inflammation of the membrane inside your heart, endocarditis can severely damage your heart valves. Endocarditis is the most deadly of Q fever's complications.
• Lung issues. Some people who have Q fever develop pneumonia. This can lead to acute respiratory distress, a medical emergency in which you're not getting enough oxygen.
• Pregnancy problems. Chronic Q fever increases the risk of miscarriage, low birth weight, premature birth and stillbirth.
• Liver damage. Some people who have Q fever develop hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver that interferes with its function.
• Meningitis. Q fever can cause meningitis, an inflammation of the membrane surrounding your brain and spinal cord.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Prevention

A Q fever vaccine has been developed in Australia for people who have high-risk occupations, but it's not available in the U.S.

Whether you're at high risk of Q fever or not, it's important to use only pasteurized milk and pasteurized milk products. Pasteurization is a process that kills bacteria.

Risk factors

Certain factors can increase your risk of being infected with Q fever bacteria, including:

• Occupation. Certain occupations place you at higher risk because you're exposed to animals and animal products as part of your job. At-risk occupations include veterinary medicine, meat processing, livestock farming and animal research.
• Location. Simply being near a farm or farming facility may put you at higher risk of Q fever, because the bacteria can travel long distances, accompanying dust particles in the air.
• Your sex. Men are more likely to develop symptomatic acute Q fever.
• Time of year. Q fever can occur at any time of the year, but the number of infections usually peaks in April and May in the U.S.

Risk factors for chronic Q fever

The risk of eventually developing the more deadly form of Q fever is increased in people who have:

• Heart valve disease
• Blood vessel abnormalities
• Weakened immune systems
• Impaired kidney function

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com