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Q fever and late Q
fever
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- An infection of the lungs
(pneumonia) and the liver (hepatitis)
- Symptoms of Q Fever can appear
suddenly (acute) or persist for many years (chronic) with
cycles of remission (free of symptoms) and relapse (symptoms
appear).
- When Q Fever becomes
chronic, it can cause damage to body parts such as the
aortic valve of the heart (i.e.
endocarditis).
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- Often develop 2-4 weeks after
exposure
- Sudden shaking chills
- High fever
- Malaise
- Headache
- Sweating
- Loss of appetite
- Dry cough
- Chest pain on breathing (Pleurisy)
- Sore throat
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Jaundice (a yellowish tinge) to the
skin and icterus (a yellowish type to the whites of the
eyes) is seen with hepatitis due to C. burnetii.
- Usually resolves in 2-14 days
- May last longer in elderly and in
the chronic (late) form
- Meningitis (infection
of the membranes covering the brain) rarely
occurs
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- Infection caused by an organism from the Rickettsial
family known as Coxiella burnetii, which lives in cats,
dogs, birds, goats, sheep, ticks, cattle, and other domestic
and wild animals
- Exposure to contaminated feces, blood, urine, birth
products (inhaling dust and droplets containing the
Coxiella, or direct skin contact with the animal
product)
- Ingestion of contaminated animal products such as milk
or meat
- Direct person-to-person spread has not been seen.
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- Occupational history is important.
- Medical exam will reveal:
- Fever
- Enlarged, tender liver and spleen
may be felt in the upper part of the abdomen
- Abnormal lung sounds such as a
friction rub (from irritation of the sac covering the
lungs)
- Abnormal heart sounds may be
present if the valves are involved.
- Small and multiple areas of
bleeding under the skin (purpuric rash) may be seen with
the valve infections.
- Chest X-Ray in half the
cases will show the lung involvement (pneumonia).
- Blood test is available for diagnosing Q Fever
- Blood samples may show elevation
of liver enzymes.
- ELISA test is a measurement of blood Proteins known as
IgG that may help in diagnosing chronic cases.
- Liver Ultrasound (using
sound) may show liver enlargement or characteristic
lesions known as granulomas (coinlike areas).
- An Echocardiogram (using sound) may show the C. burnetii colonies on the valves (vegetations).
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- Farm workers
- Veterinarians
- Laboratory workers
- Slaughter houses
- Unpasteurized milk (milk that has
not been heat-treated)
- Exposure to contaminated bedding
where the animal was lying or sleeping
- Has been documented in donated blood and bone marrow
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- Rest
- Fluids
- Tylenol for fever
- Cough syrup
- Multiple vitamins, especially those
containing anti-oxidants (vitamin C).
- Antibiotics such as tetracycline or
ciprofloxacin given 8-12 days after exposure for 10-14 days
of treatment are most effective.
- A vaccine is available for high-risk individuals but may not be available to everyone.
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Contact your doctor as soon as exposure occurs or symptoms appear.
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