What is Q fever?

Q fever is zoonotic disease, which means it spreads from animals to people.

It's caused by a type of bacteria that causes flu-like symptoms.

What are the symptoms of Q fever?

Many people have no symptoms or only a mild illness. Your symptoms usually start about 2 to 3 weeks after you are infected.

Symptoms of Q fever are similar to the symptoms of the flu, including:

• high fevers (up to 41°C) with chills, which may last up to 4 weeks
• bad sweats
• bad headaches
• extreme fatigue (tiredness)
• muscle aches
• joint pains
• dry cough, sore throat

You may also have:

• nausea and vomiting
• diarrhoea or abdominal (tummy) pain
• chest pain when you breathe
• confusion

Without treatment, symptoms can last up to 6 weeks.

What causes Q fever?

Q fever is caused by the bacterium coxiella burnetii. It's spread to humans from farm animals such as cattle, sheep and goats. It's also found in other domestic and wild animals such as dogs, cats and kangaroos.

Animals with Q fever don't usually look sick, but they can spread the bacteria to people.

How can an animal infect me with Q fever?

You usually get Q fever from breathing in infected air or dust particles that are contaminated by bacteria. You can also become infected by handling:

• infected animals
• animal products — such as wool or hides
• materials — such as straw, manure or clothing

Infection of humans usually occurs by inhaling air or dust contaminated by dried:

• urine (wee)
• faeces (poo)
• placenta and birth fluids

Contaminated clothing, wool, animal hides and straw can also cause infection.

If you work with animals, you have a higher risk of being infected with Q fever. This includes being a meat worker, shearer, farmer or vet.

It's very unlikely for Q fever to spread from person to person.

Drinking unpasteurised (unsterilised) milk may also put you at risk of Q fever. Pasteurisation is a process that kills bacteria.

When should I see my doctor?

If you've had contact with livestock or done work in or around a livestock farm and develop Q fever symptoms you should see your doctor as soon as possible. Tell your doctor that you are at risk of Q fever.

If you're concerned that you're at risk of Q fever, see your doctor to get vaccinated.

How is Q fever diagnosed?

Q fever is often diagnosed based on your symptoms. If your doctor suspects you have Q fever, they may refer you for blood tests to confirm the diagnosis.

Make sure you tell your doctor if you belong to a high-risk group of workers.

Q fever is a notifiable disease. This means that the doctor who diagnoses Q fever needs to report the case to the local health authorities. They will take steps to prevent or control an outbreak. This may involve contact tracing, to identify other people at risk of infection.

How is Q fever treated?

Q fever is commonly treated with antibiotics. If you get treated early you're likely to recover quickly.

Chronic (long-term) Q fever may need treatment with long-term antibiotics.

Can Q fever be prevented?

Vaccination is the best way to prevent Q fever infection. It's recommended for all people aged 15 years and over who:

• work in high-risk occupations
• may be exposed to Q fever

Q fever vaccination for high-risk occupations

Q fever vaccination is recommended for:

• abattoir workers in cattle, sheep and goat abattoirs
• farmers, stockyard workers and livestock transporters
• vets and vet nurses
• agricultural college staff and students
• wildlife park and zoo workers who are exposed to high-risk animals
• professional dog and cat breeders
• shearers and wool sorters
• tanning and hide workers
• laboratory personnel who work with veterinary products or the bacterium that causes Q fever

If you are exposed to cattle, camels, sheep, goats and kangaroos, talk to your doctor about getting the Q fever vaccination.

You do not need to be vaccinated if you have previously had Q fever or been vaccinated against Q fever. Your doctor will do pre-vaccination testing to check your immunity. This involves both a blood test and skin test.

Other ways to prevent Q fever

To reduce your risk of infection with Q fever you should:

• wash your hands after touching any animals
• wear a properly fitted P2/N95 face maskand gloves when working outdoors in areas with livestock or native animals
• wash animal fluids, such as urine, faeces and blood from equipment and other surfaces where possible
• cover wounds with waterproof dressings when working with animals
• remove and wash clothing worn during high-risk activities outside

Try to avoid taking these items home to reduce the risk of infection to other household members. If you do take your dirty clothes home, bag them and wash separately. These items should only be handled by those who have been vaccinated against Q fever.

Do not drink unpasteurised milk, as this may also cause infection.

Complications of Q fever

In some people Q fever can cause pneumonia and hepatitis.

Some people may develop chronic Q fever. This is when infection persists for more than 6 months after the initial infection. While rare, it can have serious complications such as endocarditis (infection of the heart valves).

You're at greater risk of chronic Q fever if you have other underlying illnesses that weaken your immune system. You are at most risk of developing chronic Q fever if you:

• have an underlying heart abnormality
• are a transplant recipient
• have cancer
• have chronic kidney disease

About 1 in 10 people develop long-lasting fatigue after infection with Q fever.

Chronic infection is also more common when you are pregnant.

Resources and support

You can call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.