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Q fever - Symptom

Alternative Names

Query fever

Symptoms:

It usually takes about 20 days after exposure to the bacteria for symptoms to occur. Most cases are mild, yet some severe cases have been reported.

Symptoms of acute Q fever may include:

Chest pain with breathing
Clay-colored stools
Cough
Fever
Headache
Jaundice
Muscle pains
Rash (not common)
Shortness of breath

Symptoms of chronic Q fever may include:

Chills
Fatigue
Night sweats
Prolonged fever
Shortness of breath

Signs and tests:

The health care provider will suspect Q fever in people who have been exposed to the Coxiella burnetii bacteria who develop:

Endocarditis
Flu-like symptoms
Hepatitis
Pneumonia

Q fever is diagnosed with a blood antibody test (serology).

Temperature measurement

Reviewed last on: 9/28/2008
Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Baoult D. Rickettsioses. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 348.

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