Goat flu is one of the zoonotic diseases. This disease, which can be transmitted from animals to humans, is also called Q fever. Goat flu is a notifiable disease that occurs worldwide except in New Zealand and Antarctica. Goat flu should not be confused with the childhood disease goat peter.
What is goat flu?
Despite being called the flu, goat flu is not caused by viruses. Rather, it is bacteria called Coxiella burnettii, which belong to the same order as the pathogens that cause Legionnaires’ disease. After an incubation period of up to 40 days, those affected with Q fever show flu-like symptoms with high fever, chills, headache and general weakness. Transmission of the disease occurs through contact with infected animals, which are often asymptomatic. In particular, inhalation of hay and straw particles contaminated with the bacteria leads to infection with goat flu. Only about half of those infected show the symptoms, which subside after the disease has been present for up to two weeks. When symptoms of goat flu appear, the development of pneumonia is one of the main risks of Q fever, although the mortality rate is considered low at 1 to 2 percent.
Causes
Infection with goat flu is mainly through contact with infected animals or with materials contaminated by these animals. The main vectors are farm animals or dairy products contaminated by them. However, possible vectors of infection can also be domestic animals such as dogs or cats, which become vectors of Q fever mostly through the bites of infected ticks. The bacteria often leave the host body during the birth process and are excreted with the afterbirth or the amniotic sac. Therefore, veterinarians, farmers and other persons such as slaughterhouse personnel who spend time with the animals or in the area of contaminated stables belong to the group of persons at risk. The long-lived pathogens of goat flu are absorbed through respiration. Once in the body, they multiply rapidly and preferentially in the respiratory tract. Pneumonia accompanying goat flu is therefore not uncommon.
Typical symptoms and signs
- High fever
- General weakness
- Chills
- Muscle pain or aching limbs
- Headache
- Hepatitis and / or pneumonia, if applicable.
Diagnosis and course
Goat flu is often not diagnosed due to the similarity of symptoms to common flu. In suspected cases due to the working environment near animals, serological testing is performed to detect the presence of antibodies in response to goat flu. Without the occurrence of serious symptoms, such as pneumonia or the involvement of other organs such as the liver and heart, goat flu is actually similar to an influenza infection. Q fever begins after the incubation period with a rising fever, soon followed by the signs of illness typical of the flu, such as headache, chills and general malaise, including muscle aches. The severe form of goat flu with an added pneumonia manifests itself already in the first days. If this does not occur, the symptoms of goat flu subside after seven to ten days.
Complications
Goat flu has a very negative effect on the quality of life of the affected person and can lead to a number of different complaints. Since the complaints are not particularly characteristic in this case and do not immediately indicate the disease, in many cases there is also a delay in treatment. The patients themselves suffer from a high fever and also from a general weakness during goat flu. There is a permanent tiredness and fatigue and the affected no longer actively participate in everyday life. Severe headaches and aching limbs may also occur and significantly affect the daily life of the affected person. Most patients contract pneumonia, which in the worst case can be fatal. As a rule, the treatment of goat flu does not lead to any particular complications or any other serious course.The symptoms are relieved with the help of antibiotics and the disease usually progresses relatively quickly. If the flu is not treated, it can also lead to inflammation of the pericardium, which can be fatal. In most cases, the patient’s life expectancy is not negatively affected by this disease.
When should you see a doctor?
High fever is considered a sign of a health condition. A doctor should be consulted before serious complications or sequelae occur. The decrease in physical performance, a general weakness, an internal dryness, and chills should be investigated and treated. Diffuse pains in the organism, disorders of the muscular system as well as irregularities of the limbs and joints should be presented to a doctor. If the symptoms persist or increase in intensity, a visit to the doctor is necessary immediately. During goat flu, the pathogens multiply in the human body within a short time. Therefore, there may be a rapid development of health changes. Action is required in case of headache, disturbances in concentration as well as increased fatigue. If the affected person complains about general functional disorders, this should be considered as an alarm signal of the organism. In the event of respiratory inconsistencies or breathing noises, a doctor should be consulted immediately. If left untreated, the notifiable disease can take a serious course. In the worst case, premature death is imminent. In addition, there is a high risk of infection for people in the immediate vicinity. For the reasons mentioned, a doctor should be informed of the observations at the first signs of a health change. A diagnosis is necessary so that medical care can be initiated immediately.
Treatment and therapy
Treatment of goat flu depends on recognizing the symptoms as a bacterial infection rather than a viral infection. Once this has been accurately diagnosed, antibiotics are the drugs of choice. They fight the bacteria and quickly cause symptoms to weaken. For relief, patients are given antipyretics and painkillers, as goat flu is accompanied by muscle aches and headaches. Due to the persistent fever, patients need to drink a lot to compensate for the loss of fluids. If the disease progresses more severely, such as pericarditis or pneumonia, inpatient treatment is advised. In case of chronic course of goat flu, long-term therapy is carried out from a combination of antibiotics. As an effective remedy against goat flu, in addition, malaria drugs, some of which are also used successfully in rheumatic diseases.
Prevention
There is a vaccine for goat flu, but it is not licensed in Germany. It is used in the United States only with the express permission of the Department of Defense in vulnerable groups of people, because goat flu is particularly watched as a possible bioweapon. As a preventive measure, the only remaining option is the prudent handling of livestock. For example, protective clothing should be worn in suspected cases of Q fever in livestock.
Follow-up
Goat flu usually does not require special follow-up care. After illness, complications or return of Q fever are unlikely. Follow-up care focuses primarily on clarifying the patient’s general condition and ensuring that the illness has been completely cured. If appropriate, education about the causes of goat flu in the work environment will take place. Triggers must be resolved promptly to prevent re-infection with the virus. In a severe course, health complaints such as inflammation of the lungs or heart may occur and must be monitored for an extended period of time. Patients should ensure that the disease is cured accordingly and quickly. Follow-up care is provided by the appropriate medical specialist. Since Q fever is often not diagnosed at all, treatment and follow-up is often provided by the general practitioner. Follow-up care takes place immediately after recovery. If the course is difficult, further follow-up appointments must be made at short intervals. If the symptoms are severe, inpatient treatment in a hospital is necessary.Then other specialists must be involved in treatment to clarify lung, heart, or immune system involvement.
What you can do yourself
Parallel to therapy with antibiotics, patients can support the healing process well with home remedies, as with any other flu-like illness. Particularly important here are strict bed rest and sufficient sleep to spare the metabolism, which is stressed by the infection, and to activate self-healing. Painkillers, which also have a fever-reducing effect, are particularly helpful against the headaches and aching limbs that often accompany the disease. These include, above all, preparations with the active ingredients paracetamol or acetylsalicylic acid. Cold compresses on the calves and forehead also help to lower the body temperature and, above all, to relieve excruciating headaches. Since sufferers of goat flu sweat heavily due to the often high fever, care should also be taken to ensure sufficient fluid intake. Cool, but not ice-cold, non-carbonated water as well as diluted fruit juices and unsweetened herbal teas are best suited for this purpose. Teas made from elderberry or lime blossom are said to have a diaphoretic and thus infection-inhibiting effect. Patients prefer to eat light meals such as cooked vegetables and clear soups in order to relieve the metabolism and still provide the necessary nutrients. Chicken broth, in particular, has an additional antipyretic effect during flu illness and strengthens the immune system.