How to Recognize and Treat Q Fever (Coxiella Burnetii Infection)
Know if you are at risk., Understand that the infection has been seen in a wide variety of other animals, including domesticated pets., Be aware that people are generally very susceptible to the disease, and very few bacteria may be needed to cause...
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Step 1: Know if you are at risk.
Q fever is primarily a professional hazard.
The following is a list of jobs that may put you at higher risk of contracting Q fever:
Livestock farmers.
Sheep and dairy workers.
Meat processing plant workers.
Researchers at facilities that house sheep.
Veterinarians. -
Step 2: Understand that the infection has been seen in a wide variety of other animals
However, the conditions differ for animals that receive daily attention, so the disease is found less often in these animals. ,, Watch for a sudden onset of:
Feeling of overall sickness.
High fever (up to 104-105° F).
Relentless headache.
Vomiting.
Nausea.
Diarrhea.
Stomach pain.
Sore throat.
Tender, aching muscles.
Mental confusion.
Chills.
Sweats.
Non-productive (dry) cough.
Chest pain. , Weight loss can occur and can continue for some time.
Thirty to fifty percent of people who suffer a significant infection will develop pneumonia.
A large number of those infected will have abnormal results on liver function tests.
Some will develop hepatitis. , Treatment should be started within 3 days of the first signs of infection.
Generally treatment lasts 2-3 weeks.
Most patients will recover within 2-3 months without any treatment.
However, if the infection lasts for more than 6 months (a rare occurrence among well persons), the chronic form of the disease may develop. , -
Step 3: including domesticated pets.
-
Step 4: Be aware that people are generally very susceptible to the disease
-
Step 5: and very few bacteria may be needed to cause an infection.
-
Step 6: Know what to look for if someone has Q fever.
-
Step 7: Be aware that fever usually lasts for 1-2 weeks.
-
Step 8: Know that the antibiotic doxycycline is the most effective form of treatment.
-
Step 9: Understand that appropriate laboratory testing is required to determine if someone has the infection.
Detailed Guide
Q fever is primarily a professional hazard.
The following is a list of jobs that may put you at higher risk of contracting Q fever:
Livestock farmers.
Sheep and dairy workers.
Meat processing plant workers.
Researchers at facilities that house sheep.
Veterinarians.
However, the conditions differ for animals that receive daily attention, so the disease is found less often in these animals. ,, Watch for a sudden onset of:
Feeling of overall sickness.
High fever (up to 104-105° F).
Relentless headache.
Vomiting.
Nausea.
Diarrhea.
Stomach pain.
Sore throat.
Tender, aching muscles.
Mental confusion.
Chills.
Sweats.
Non-productive (dry) cough.
Chest pain. , Weight loss can occur and can continue for some time.
Thirty to fifty percent of people who suffer a significant infection will develop pneumonia.
A large number of those infected will have abnormal results on liver function tests.
Some will develop hepatitis. , Treatment should be started within 3 days of the first signs of infection.
Generally treatment lasts 2-3 weeks.
Most patients will recover within 2-3 months without any treatment.
However, if the infection lasts for more than 6 months (a rare occurrence among well persons), the chronic form of the disease may develop. ,
About the Author
Charles Sullivan
Writer and educator with a focus on practical lifestyle knowledge.
Rate This Guide
How helpful was this guide? Click to rate: