Overview
Q fever is an illness you get from dust or animal products containing the bacterium Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii). Sheep, goats, cattle and other animals can carry C. burnetii. It can get into the soil around them, allowing it to spread to people.
Why is it called Q fever?
The “Q” in Q fever stands for query. It got the name “query fever” when people first started coming down with it (in the 1930s in Australia and the 1940s in the U.S.) because doctors didn’t know what caused it. So they had questions (or “queries”) about the cause of the fever.
What is chronic Q fever?
Chronic Q fever is a serious form of Q fever that can affect your heart, your blood vessels, your bones and other parts of your body. It affects 1 to 5% of people who’ve had a C. burnetii infection. It can start months or years after your initial symptoms go away and can lead to life-threatening complications. Sometimes people with chronic Q fever had no symptoms with their initial infection. The most common form causes inflammation in your heart (endocarditis).
What happens when you get Q fever?
Q fever can cause a wide variety of symptoms, but the most common ones are flu-like. The bacterium that causes it, C. burnetii, can infect your lungs, heart, brain, bones or other parts of your body and cause symptoms there. Some people have extreme tiredness (fatigue) and other symptoms for months or years. Chronic Q fever can be life-threatening.
Who does it affect?
Q fever most commonly affects people who live or work near farms or who come in contact with farm animals. This includes veterinarians, anyone who helps with animal birthing, and farm, ranch or slaughterhouse workers.
Who is at higher risk for severe Q fever?
Some people are at higher risk of serious effects of Q fever. Pregnant people are at higher risk for pregnancy complications and miscarriage. You’re at higher risk for chronic Q fever, a more serious illness than acute Q fever, if you:
- Have a history of endocarditis, heart valve issues, aneurysms or poor kidney function (renal insufficiency).
- Have a permanent, implanted device to strengthen blood vessels and improve blood flow (vascular prosthesis).
- Have a weakened immune system.
How common is Q fever?
Q fever is very rare. Only around 200 cases are reported in the U.S. each year.
Symptoms
When to see a doctor
Complications
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes.
- Heart failure.
- Some types of heart valve disease.
Prevention
- Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
- Don't smoke or use tobacco.
- Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
- Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Reduce and manage stress.
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