Q Fever

Synonyms

• Q Fever Pneumonia

Disorder Subdivisions

• None

General Discussion

Q fever is an infectious disease that is spread by the inhalation or ingestion of bacteria of the family Rickettsia and, more specifically, the species known as Coxiella burnetii. Most other rickettsial diseases are spread by the transmission of the bacterium via a tick bite. This disease is spread by breathing contaminated air or eating or drinking a contaminated substance. Farm workers, especially those who work with animals, people who work in slaughterhouses, and veterinarians are especially vulnerable to this disease. Because infection can occur as a result of airborne transmission, this is one of the diseases that has been studied as a possible bacteriological weapon.

Most cases are mild but some (about 2-3% of cases) may be acute and show signs of liver damage (hepatitis), and inflammation of heart muscle (myocarditis) or the heart lining (pericarditis).

Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30333
Tel: (404)639-3534
Tel: (800)311-3435
Email: http://www.cdc.gov/netinfo.htm
Internet: http://www.cdc.gov/

NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
6610 Rockledge Drive
MSC 6612
Bethesda, MD 20892-6612
Tel: (301)496-5717
Fax: (301)402-3573
TDD: (800)877-8339
Internet: http://www.niaid.nih.gov/

World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Americas (AMRO)
Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
525 23rd Street NW
Washington, DC 20037
Tel: (202)974-3000
Fax: (202)974-3663
Email: postmaster@paho.org
Internet: http://www.who.ch/

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated: 4/15/2005
Copyright 1989, 1991, 1998, 2005 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.