Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of Q fever. Family history What is the general health of your family members? Social history What is your profession? Do you have much contact with animals? Current medical history/systemic history (somatic and psychological complaints). Do you have a fever? If so, what … Query Fever: Medical History
Infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99). Infections with other pathogens, unspecified. Symptoms and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings not elsewhere classified (R00-R99) Fever of unclear cause
The following are the most important diseases or complications that may be co-morbid with Q fever: Respiratory system (J00-J99) Pneumonia (pneumonia) Cardiovascular system (I00-I99) Endocarditis (meningitis) – occurs in chronic Q fever (most common and dangerous late complication). Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle). Pericarditis (inflammation of the pericardium) Infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99). Chronic … Query Fever: Complications
A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps: General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body weight, height; further: Inspection (viewing). Skin, mucous membranes and sclerae (white part of the eye). Auscultation (listening) of the heart. Examination of the lungs Auscultation (listening) of the lungs Bronchophony (checking the transmission of … Query Fever: Examination
2nd order laboratory parameters – depending on the results of the history, physical examination and obligatory laboratory parameters – for differential diagnostic clarification. Antibody detection (CFT, IFT, ELISA) – anti-phase II antibodies in acute infection; anti-phase II antibodies in chronic infection. Pathogen detection by cell culture, PCR (special laboratory). Small blood count Inflammatory parameters – … Query Fever: Test and Diagnosis
Therapeutic target Elimination of the pathogens Avoidance of complications Therapy recommendations Antibiosis (antibiotic therapy); active substance and duration of therapy depending on the situation: Acute infection: first-line agent is doxycycline (tetracycline). chronic infection: One-year combination therapy with doxycycline and a quinolone (group 3 and 4) or rifampicin. Alternative one-year combination therapy: doxycycline and hydroxychloroquine (antimalarials). … Query Fever: Drug Therapy
Optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, laboratory diagnostics, and obligatory medical device diagnostics – for differential diagnostic clarification. Abdominal ultrasonography (ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs) – for basic diagnostics. Electrocardiogram (ECG; recording of the electrical activity of the heart muscle). Echocardiography (echo; heart ultrasound) – for … Query Fever: Diagnostic Tests
To prevent Q fever, attention must be paid to reducing risk factors. Behavioral risk factors Close contact with animals, especially Butcher Animal keeper Persons in the processing of animal skins Persons working in veterinary medicine Laboratory personnel Prophylactic measures Avoid direct contact with infected animals/animal products. Comply with measures established by veterinary medicine for handling … Query Fever: Prevention
The following symptoms and complaints may indicate Q fever: Initial symptoms High fever (- 40 °C). Chills Dry cough Myalgia (muscle pain) Limb pain Headache, especially in the forehead Symptoms occurring during the course Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver), granulomatous. Icterus (jaundice) (rare). Meningoencephalitis (combined inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) and meninges (meningitis)), aseptic; possibly … Query Fever: Symptoms and Complaints
Pathogenesis (disease development) Transmission of the gram-negative bacterium Coxiella burnetii, of the Rickettsiaceae family, occurs through infectious dust (even over long distances), but can also occur through direct contact with the infected animal. Newborn animals are particularly infectious.Transmission through food such as raw milk products is possible in principle. Horizontal as well as vertical human-to-human … Query Fever: Causes
General measures Observance of the general hygiene measures! In the occurrence of fever: Bed rest and physical rest (even if fever is only mild; if limb pain and lassitude occur without fever, bed rest and physical rest is also required, because myocarditis/heart muscle inflammation could occur as a result of the infection). Fever below 38.5 … Query Fever: Therapy
