Q Fever

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Important

It is possible that the main title of the report Q Fever is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

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:  4/25/2008

Copyright  1989, 1991, 1998, 2005 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

Last updated:	April 25, 2008