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By Mayo Clinic staff
What you can do
If you've been exposed to any barnyard or livestock environments within the last three weeks and develop flu-like symptoms, talk to your doctor. Similarly, if you develop flu-like symptoms a few weeks after handling any animal birthing products, such as placenta, amniotic fluid or the coats of newborn animals, make an appointment to see your doctor. While Q fever is uncommon, it's still best to identify the cause of your symptoms.
What to expect
The flu-like symptoms associated with this infection aren't unique to Q fever. In an effort to narrow the possibilities, your doctor may ask if your medical history contains any links to endocarditis, pneumonia or hepatitis — all problems associated with Q fever. Also, because environmental factors play a large role in acquiring this infection, your doctor may ask about your recent exposure to areas that may have placed you at risk of acquiring Q fever infection. A blood test then can confirm the diagnosis.
- Q fever fact sheet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/qfever/. Accessed May 1, 2009.
- Hartzell JD, et al. Q fever: Epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2008;83:574.
- Raoult D. Clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of Q fever. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 1, 2009.
- Raoult D. Q fever endocarditis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 1, 2009.
- Maurin M, et al. Q fever. American Society for Microbiology Clinical Microbiology Reviews. 1999;12(4):518.
- Tissot-Dupont H. Q fever. Infectious Disease Clinics of North America. 2008;22:505.
- Marrie TJ, et al. Coxiella burnetii (Q fever). In: Mandell GL et al. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 6th ed. London: Churchill Livingstone; 2005. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/140205849-3/846136203/1259/1538.html#4-u1.0-B0-443-06643-4..50189-6_6250. Accessed May 1, 2009.
- Raoult D. Q Fever. In: Rakel RE. Conn's Current Therapy. 6th ed. Philadelphia: Saunders; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/140205849-3/846136203/1621/69.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4435-2..50036-4_501. Accessed May 1, 2009.
