Q fever

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Temperature measurement

Q fever is a bacterial infection that can affect the lungs, liver, heart, and other parts of the body.

Query fever

Q fever is found around the world and is caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii. The bacteria affects sheep, goats, cattle, dogs, cats, birds, rodents, and ticks, as well as some other animals. Infected animals shed this bacteria in:

• Birth products
• Feces
• Milk
• Urine

Humans usually get Q fever by breathing in contaminated droplets released by infected animals. Drinking raw milk has also caused infection in rare cases. People at highest risk for this infection are:

• Farmers
• Laboratory workers who work with Coxiella burnetii
• Sheep and dairy workers
• Veterinarians

Chronic Q fever develops in people who have been infected for more than 6 months.

People at highest risk include those with heart valve problems or weakened immune systems.

Review Date: 09/23/2010
Reviewed By: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., and Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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