The Zoonotic Transmission of Q Fever from Animals to Humans.

As we continue on the path of learning about animals and the infections that could affect them, today, let's talk about Q fever and the breed of animals that could be affected as regards.

Q fever is a rare illness with only about 200 cases reported in th United States every year, it is caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetti, it is a naturally infecting bacteria for some animals like sheep, cattle, and goats as they are found in birth products like the amniotic fluid, and placenta. Other places like feces, urine, and the milk of infected animals are also sources of infections.

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There is usually an outbreak after a birth procedure or abortion case when the environment becomes contaminated with birth fluids. It can also be spread through ticks when they pass the bacteria from an infected animal to a susceptible one, and one whose faeces contains the bacteria that contaminates the environment. It is a zoonotic disease meaning it can sprad to humans.

It is possible for humans to get infected as well through the inhaling of contaminated dust, this dust may have been infcted through the contamination of urine, milk, animal feces, and birth products as earlier mentioned.
A less common way to get Q fever are; through the consumption of unpasteurized diary products either through eating or drinking, been bitten by an infected tick, transmission from a pregnant mother to child and through blood transfusion.

While some people even though infcted may never fall sick, others may develop flu-lik symptoms like; chills, fatigue, fever, and muscle pain.

RIght before we proceed, let's learn a little bit more about Q fever, the Q here stands for query, and it got this name from the time people started to come down with it back in the 1930s in Australia and the 1940s in the United States, and since doctors couldn't come up with a clear reason behind it's occurence, they named it queries.

This infection could begin again months or even years after the initial symptoms have gone away and could lead to life-threatening complications. The infection has several symptoms, but most common ones are flu-like, creating an infection even to the heart, brain, lungs, bones, including other parts of the body. Some people also experience of extreme tiredness that could last for months or years.

Humans who work or live close to farms or farm animals are more prone to contacting the infection, this includes even vets who help with the birthing, and slaughtering of farm animals. When Q fever gets to a chronic stage, it is highly complicated.

Pregnanct women have a serious potential of experiencing high pregnancy risk of Q fever which could even lead to complications and miscarriages. People with; an history of endocarditis, poor kidney function, heart valve problems, a permanent implanted device provided to stregthen blood vessel, and a weak immune system most likely stands a chance of having a severe case of Q fever.

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In order to diagnose a person for Q fever, questions will be asked as regards the symptoms felt and the medical history of the patient, questions about working around an animal can also be raisd. Treatments can begin even before result comes out if the doctor suspects the presence of Q fever,since the result could sometimes take several weeks before result comes in.

An acute condition of Q fever is usually treated with antibiotics while a case of chronic fever is usually with a combination of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications, which could be difficult to treat.
The risk of having the infection could be limited through the practice of the following;

Failure to consume unpasteurized diary products.
If you get vaccinated.
Put on mask and gloves while handeling animal fluids, especially during birth process.

Either it is a chronic or an acute case of Q fever, it has the ability to cause complications, although it is usually more serious in a chronic case;