Living with Q fever
A bacterial infection spread from farm animals that can cause fever, headache, and tiredness.
Understanding Q fever
Cattle, sheep, and goats are the main carriers. Their birth fluids, milk, urine, and feces can carry the bacteria, which survive for a long time in the environment. People usually get infected by breathing in dusty air from barnyards. Rare routes include tick bites, unpasteurized milk, and spread between people. In fewer than 5% of acute cases, a chronic infection develops.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Fever
- Headache
- Tiredness and muscle aches
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Skin rash
- Sensitivity to light
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who knows rare conditions.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- A doctor familiar with rare conditions, plus specialists as needed
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
It is caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii. People usually get it by breathing in dust contaminated by infected animals' birth fluids or waste.
Also known as: abattoir fever; balkan grippe; balkan influenza; coxiella burnetii caused disease or disorder; coxiella burnetii disease or disorder; coxiella burnetii infectious disease
Patient organizations
Rare-disease groups that can help
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Q fever.
Explore research for Q fever
Explore actively recruiting Q fever studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Q fever with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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