Health Care > Q FeverRelated Photo
Sponsor link
Related Diseases
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).
