The bacterium Coxiella burnetti is responsible for causing Q fever. Disease can be mild to severe affecting 50% of those coming into contact with the bacterium. Contact is usually by inhaling dust contaminated with the microbe present in faeces, urine, or birth products of contaminated animals usually sheep, goats and cattle. It is also present in their milk. Rarely (5%) Chronic Q fever develops weeks, to years later.
Incubation Period
2-3 weeks
Signs and Symptoms
These include fever, chills, fatigue, headache, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, dry cough and in severe cases signs of pneumonia, hepatitis and/or central nervous system disease. In pregnancy it can have a range of foetal affects including miscarriage. In chronic Q fever which may develop up to years later features of endocarditis manifest.
Diagnosis
This is based on the clinical presentation, sometimes difficult to differentiate from other causes of the same symptoms. The disease is more common in populations that directly handle animals such as veterinarians and farmers. It can be confirmed by serology which however may appear negative in the first 7-15 days of the disease. PCR detection of DNA can rapidly confirm Q fever.
Treatment
Most cases recover however doxycycline antibiotic is usually prescribed for 2 weeks. In chronic cases antibiotic treatment needs to be continued for months.
Prevention
Do not consume raw milk or raw milk products. Avoid contact with animals especially when giving birth, animals may appear healthy when infected. In case of Q fever contraction and pregnant, immunosuppressed or with a history of blood vessel disease educate regarding the development of chronic Q fever.