Q Fever - Medtick
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Q Fever

What is it?

A bacterial infection from cows, goats, sheep and livestock animals commonly affecting farmers that can cause heart problems.

  • The symptoms normally occur two to three weeks after exposure.
  • Farm workers, especially those who work with animals, people who work in slaughterhouses and veterinarians are especially vulnerable to this disease.

Countries affected are:

South America

  • Chile (Easter Island)

Middle East

  • Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories

Australasia and Pacific

  • Australia

Cause

  • Bacteria: Coxiella burnetii 
  • Transmitted via:
    • Breathing contaminated air or eating or drinking contaminated food.
    • Urine, faeces, pregnant animals that give birth (they contain the bacteria in secretions during birth when helping in delivery), raw milk and inhaled particles from infected animals (cattle, sheep and goats, cats and dogs)
    • Rarely via ticks
    • Rarely via human to human transmission

Symptoms

  • High temperature greater than 38°C (100°F) or over and/or chills and sweats longer than 72 hours?
  • Headache which is on and off or a constant headache longer than 24 hours?
  • Aching, painful muscles, muscle cramps/spasms/stiffness?
  • Chest pain?
  • Dry cough longer than three weeks or breathing difficulties?
  • Rapid heartbeat, swollen ankles and/or fingers?
  • Night sweats?
  • General discomfort (muscle weakness), uneasiness or ill feeling (malaise) and/or fatigue (tiredness)?
  • Small areas of inflammation (granuloma)?
  • New rash that has appeared or existing rash getting worst (Bleeding into skin on palms and sole of feet (Janeway lesions)?
  • Swollen fingers and toes (Osler nodes)?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Medical Emergency Condition

And/or do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:

This condition can lead to:

This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Q Fever in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

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