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Section 3. Summaries of Infectious Diseases
Q Fever
Clinical Manifestations
Etiology
Epidemiology
Diagnostic Tests
Treatment
Isolation of the Hospitalized Patient
Control Measures
CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS: Although up to 60% of initial infections
are asymptomatic, disease attributable to Q fever occurs in
2 distinct forms: acute, which typically follows initial exposure;
and chronic, which occurs months to years after acute infection.
Acute Q fever usually is characterized by abrupt onset of fever,
chills, weakness, headache, anorexia, and other nonspecific
systemic symptoms. Weight loss and weakness can be pronounced.
Cough and chest pain can accompany pneumonia, which occurs in
20% to 40% of patients. Hepatitis is found in 40% to 60% of
patients, and serum transaminase concentrations commonly are
elevated, but jaundice is rare. Rash is rarely observed. The
illness typically lasts 1 to 4 weeks and then resolves gradually.
Life-threatening complications of acute infection, such as meningoencephalitis
and myocarditis, occur rarely. Chronic Q fever occurs in approximately
1% of acutely ill patients and manifests as endocarditis in
patients with underlying heart disease or prosthetic valves,
vascular aneurysms, or vascular grafts. Hepatitis is another
common manifestation. Both acute and chronic Q fever may manifest
as fever of undetermined origin. Although acute Q fever rarely
is fatal, chronic Q fever can be
. . . [Go to Full Text]
Related text in Red Book:
- Rickettsial Diseases
Red Book
2006: 567-569.
[Extract]
[Full Version]
- Introduction
Red Book
2006: 735.
[Extract]
[Full Version]
This topic has been referenced by these articles:
- Tissieres, P., Gervaix, A., Beghetti, M., Jaeggi, E. T.
(2003). Value and Limitations of the von Reyn, Duke, and Modified Duke Criteria for the Diagnosis of Infective Endocarditis in Children. Pediatrics
112: e467-471
[Abstract]
[Full Version]