Table of Contents
Can Q fever affect the heart?
A Q fever recurrence can affect your heart, liver, lungs and brain, giving rise to serious complications, such as: Endocarditis. An inflammation of the membrane inside your heart, endocarditis can severely damage your heart valves. Endocarditis is the most deadly of Q fever’s complications.
How long does Q fever stay in your system?
Without treatment, symptoms can last from 2-6 weeks. Illness often results in time off work, lasting from a few days to several weeks. Most people make a full recovery and become immune to repeat infections.
What are the symptoms of Q fever in humans?
Signs and symptoms of Q fever may include:
- Fever.
- Chills or sweats.
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Headache.
- Muscle aches.
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- Chest pain.
- Stomach pain.
What disease does C. burnetii cause?
Q fever is a disease caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii. This bacteria naturally infects some animals, such as goats, sheep, and cattle.
What are the long term effects of Q fever?
Some individuals with Q fever develop long-term complications (long-term sequelae) such as chronic, persistent fatigue. Some researchers believe that infection with Q fever increases an individual’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease later in life.
Which types of people are most at risk for Q fever?
Who is at risk? Anyone who has contact with animals infected with Q fever bacteria, especially people who work on farms or with animals. Examples of high-risk jobs include: Livestock farmers.
Is Q fever a zoonotic disease?
Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii, a species of bacteria that is distributed globally. In 1999, Q fever became a notifiable disease in the United States but reporting is not required in many other countries.
What happens if Q fever is left untreated?
Severe Q fever infections cause complications like pneumonia (an infection causing inflammation in the lungs), hepatitis or endocarditis. Left untreated, severe Q fever infections are sometimes fatal.
Does Q fever ever go away?
Sometimes Q fever can persist or come back. This can lead to more serious complications if the infection affects your: heart. liver.
How many people have been infected with Q fever?
In 2019, 178 acute Q fever cases were reported, as well as 34 chronic Q fever cases.
Can chronic Q fever cured?
Most people who are sick with Q fever will recover without antibiotic treatment. However, for people who develop Q fever disease, treatment with 2 weeks of doxycycline antibiotic is recommended.