Q fever is a disease induced by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii that afflicts sheep and cattle but can also be transmitted to human beings that come in close contact with infected animals.
Symptoms of the disease resemble influenza and include fever, headache as well as lung inflammation. Q fever treatment is something you should take seriously.
What are the risk factors involved with the disease?
Cattle, sheep and goats are the primary repositories of the bacterium C. burnetii. The infection has been noted in a wide range of other animals, such as livestock and in domesticated pets. The bacterium does not typically cause clinical disease in these animals and these organisms are excreted in the urine, milk and faeces of infected animals. The organisms are shed in huge numbers during the birth process in the amniotic fluids and the placenta. They are resistant to heat, drying conditions and most common disinfectants. The bacteria can also survive for long periods in the environment.
Infection of humans occurs by inhalation of these microorganisms from the air containing airborne barnyard dust contaminated by birth fluids, dried placental material and excreta of infected herd animals. Therefore, humans are very susceptible to the disease and very few organisms are required to cause infection.
In addition, ingestion of contaminated milk, followed by regurgitation and inspiration of the contaminated food, is a less common transmission mode. Other ways of transmission to humans include tick bites. However, human transmissions are sporadic.
Progression of the disease
The incubation period of the disease depends on the number of organisms that initially infect the patient. Infection with more significant numbers of organisms may result in shorter incubation periods. Most patients start falling ill within 2 to 3 weeks after exposure. Some with acute Q fever will recover without treatment. However, few may develop chronic disease, which is fatal if untreated.
How is the disease diagnosed?
Tests that will aid the physician in making the diagnosis of Q fever are the following:
- Blood tests to determine levels of cells in the blood
- Liver function tests to select whether the liver is inflamed
- A chest X-ray
Treatment
Doxycycline is the treatment of acute Q fever and is most effective if initiated within the first three days of illness. A dose of 100 mg of doxycycline taken orally twice every day for 15 to 21 days is a commonly prescribed administration. A physician may also consider quinolone antibiotics. Therapy is recommended if the disease relapses.
Chronic Q fever endocarditis is more challenging to treat effectively and often entails the use of multiple medications. Two different treatment protocols have been assessed:
1) Doxycycline in union with quinolones for at least four years and,
2) Doxycycline along with hydroxychloroquine for 1.5 to 3 years
The second treatment results in fewer relapses but requires routine eye exams to detect the accumulation of chloroquine.
Have you got diagnosed with Q fever recently? Book an appointment with Drayton medical now to start the treatment now.