Q Fever

Q Fever

Q Fever, The Q fever stands for the query because the fever was unknown for some time. Q fever is on disease caused by the bacteria coxiella burnet. This bacterium affects both wild animals and livestock, cattle, sheep, and goats are the Primary reservoirs. Bacteria are found in the birth Products (i.e. Placenta, amniotic fluid) urine, feces, and milk of infected animals.

Symptoms of Q fever:

In humans Q fever is an acute illness characterized by the sudden onset of:

• Severe headache
• Malaise
• Confusion
• Sore throat
• Chills
• Sweats
• Chest Pain
• High fever
• Myalgia
• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Muscle aches

Transmission of fever:

1. Inhalation of dust contaminated bacteria
2. Through animal feces
3. Through Urine
4. Consumption of unpasteurized milk

Diagnosis of Q fever:

Diagnosis of Q fever is made by national reference Laboratory using:

• PCR
• Culture of bacterium
• Fluorescent antibody and agglutination test

Prevention:

• Avoiding Contact with animals
• A safe and effective vaccine
• Avoid contaminated milk | Protective clothing

Treatment of Q fever:

Treatment is with 2 weeks of Doxycycline antibiotic