Do you know about this strange fever transmitted by animals? - Q Fever

Do you live near a farm? Or does your job involve working with animals? Maybe you are a veterinarian or someone who works on a farm. If so, what I am going to say will be very important to you. Today we are talking about a strange fever that sometimes starts as a normal flu and can turn into a serious condition over time. This is called Q Fever . Although the name is not very familiar to us in Sri Lanka, it is very important to be aware of this.

Simply put, what is Q Fever?

Q fever is an infection caused by a bacterium called Coxiella burnetii . This bacterium lives mainly in the bodies of animals such as cows, goats, and sheep. The amazing thing is that these animals can be infected with this bacterium without showing any symptoms.

So how does this get into people? We think of it as catching the disease by touching an animal. But this is a little different. The bacteria are released into the environment through the milk, urine, feces, and especially the fluids that come out of an infected animal when it gives birth (for example, the placenta). Then they settle in the soil and dust. This bacteria enters our bodies when we breathe in this kind of dusty air. This means that even without direct contact with the animal, you can catch the disease just by being in an environment where there are infected animals.

Why is this called "Q fever"?

This is also a very interesting story. The letter "Q" stands for "Query" . It means "question" or "doubt". When this disease was first identified in the 1930s, doctors did not know what caused this strange fever. So it was a big problem for them. It was because of that "question" that it was called "Query Fever" or Q fever.

Main forms of Q fever and their symptoms

Q fever can come in two main forms. One is the acute condition that occurs initially. The other is the severe, chronic condition that develops over time. Let's clearly understand the difference between the two.

Symptoms of Acute Q Fever

The initial symptoms of acute Q fever are similar to those of dengue fever and influenza.

• Very hot.
• Feeling extremely tired, fatigued
• Shivering due to cold
• Sweating a lot
• Severe headache, especially behind the eyes
• Body and muscle pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Stomach ache and diarrhea
• Dry cough and chest pain
• Some people may also develop conditions such as pneumonia, hepatitis, or encephalitis.

Q Fever Fatigue Syndrome (QFS)

About 20% of people who develop Q fever may experience extreme fatigue that lasts for months, even years, even after the initial infection has resolved. This is called QFS.

• Too tired to do anything
• Persistent headache
• Joint and muscle pain
• Night sweats

Symptoms of Chronic Q Fever

This is the situation we need to pay the most attention to, because it can even be life-threatening.

• Fever that comes on suddenly
• Excessive sweating, especially at night
• Weight loss without any reason
• Continuous fatigue
• Difficulty breathing even with mild exertion
• Swelling of the legs or ankles (this can happen if the heart is affected)

Who is at higher risk of developing this disease?

Although anyone can get Q fever, some people are at a much higher risk.

• Veterinarians and those working in the veterinary field
• People who work on farms, animal farms, and meat factories
• People who help animals give birth
• Sheep and goat shearers

In addition, acute Q fever or chronic Q feverThere are also people who are at higher risk.

• Pregnant mothers: Because this can cause miscarriages or other complications.
• People with heart valve problems or who have previously had endocarditis.
• People who have had vascular prostheses.
• People with weakened immune systems (for example, cancer patients, HIV infected people).
• People with chronic kidney disease.

Q fever diagnosis and treatment

If you have the symptoms mentioned above and you are someone who interacts with animals, you should definitely see a doctor.

The doctor will ask you about your symptoms, your occupation, and your contact with animals. He or she will then order a special blood test to confirm whether you have Q fever. This tests to see if your body has antibodies against the bacteria Coxiella burnetii. Sometimes it can take a few weeks for the results of these tests to come back. So, if your doctor suspects that you may have Q fever based on your symptoms, he or she may start treatment without waiting for the results.

What are the treatments?

Q fever is a bacterial infection, so it is treated with antibiotics .

• Acute Q Fever is usually treated with an antibiotic called doxycycline ( Doxycycline ) for about two weeks. Most people recover completely with this treatment.
• Chronic Q fever is much more difficult to treat. It requires multiple antibiotics taken together for 18 months or longer. This is a very complex treatment.

Q How can I protect myself from the flu?

There are several ways to prevent this disease, especially for those in high-risk groups.

• If you are working with animal births or animal fluids (placenta, amniotic fluid), be sure to wear a mask and gloves .
• Completely avoid eating and drinking unpasteurized/raw milk and products made from it, such as cheese and yogurt.
• Measures such as frequent wetting can be taken to reduce dust in areas with farms and animal enclosures.
• If you have a risk condition, such as heart valve disease, and you work with animals, talk to your doctor about this and get the necessary advice.

Ask your doctor these questions:

• Is there anything I can do to reduce my risk of chronic Q fever?
• Do I need to be checked for any problems with my heart and blood vessels?
• How exactly do I take the medicine you prescribed?
• When should I see you again?

Although Q fever is a disease that is not very commonly discussed in our country, it is very important to be aware of its risks and severe consequences. Especially since farming and animal husbandry have become a part of our lives, let us all be aware to protect ourselves from such diseases.