Signs of Q fever

Description

Caused by the Coxiella burnetii bacteria. This bacteria is most often found in sheep, goats, and cattle, and the disease is acquired by breathing in infected dust particles. The bacteria causes an acute and chronic disease. Most patients with acute Q fever have no symptoms or suffer a flu like illness that resolves on its own in a few weeks. The chronic form is more serious and can cause damage to the heart, liver, brain, and lungs, and is often fatal.

Symptoms

Some patients will have no symptoms. Acute Q fever causes high fever, sore throat, chills, sweats, cough, chest pain, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, rash, yellowing skin (jaundice). Chronic Q fever causes chills, fatigue, night sweats, fever, breathing problems, weight loss.

Tests

A history and physical exam will be done. The provider will do blood tests to evaluate the patient's platelet count. The diagnosis is confirmed by identifying antibodies in the blood against to the Coxiella burnetii bacteria that causes the disease. An echocardiogram may be performed to look for lesions on the heart.

Standard Workup

X-Ray
Echocardiogram
antibody detection

Treatment

Acute Q fever is treated with the antibiotic doxycycline (Vibramycin) and the length of treatment is usually 2-3 weeks. At times a second course of antibiotics is needed. Chronic Q fever requires multiple antibiotics and the length of treatment is usually 18 months or longer. If the heart valves are infected surgery may need to be done to remove the infected tissue or repair damages to the heart or aorta.