Q Fever
什麼是Q Fever
Q fever is a disease caused by a bacterial infection. It is found in all areas of the world except for New Zealand and was first identified in Australia in 1935. When the disease was first discovered, its cause was unknown and, as such, it was termed ‘Q fever’, with ‘Q’ relating to the term ‘query’.
您如何獲得Q Fever？
Q fever is transmitted to humans from infected animals, primarily goats, cattle and sheep. When humans come in contact with contaminated animal feces, urine, milk, placenta and amniotic fluids of the infected animal, they may become infected. Human infection is also caused by inhalation of dust contaminated with these bacteria-filled fluids.
Although rare, ticks, pets, wild animals and pigeons can become infected with the bacteria, carry the disease and transmit the disease to humans. Also rare is human-to-human transmission, including the transmission of disease from mother to infant prior to birth.
An individual can also become infected with Q fever by consuming unpasteurized milk or milk products from an infected animal.
易感性和抵抗力
Humans are very susceptible to Q fever, with a small number of bacteria required to infect a patient. Although all persons are susceptible to Q fever, those working with animals and those processing animal products are at a higher risk of becoming infected (e.g., veterinarians, meat processing plant workers, sheep and dairy workers, livestock farmers, and researchers at facilities housing sheep and goats).
For people who are pregnant, the disease symptoms can be more severe and can include complications in pregnancy, miscarriage and stillbirth. A woman infected with Q fever during her pregnancy is also more susceptible to developing chronic Q fever.
Persons with heart disease, blood vessel abnormalities and a suppressed immune system are also more susceptible to developing chronic Q fever.
The bacteria are resistant to heat, drying and many disinfectants. Therefore, the bacteria can survive for extended periods of time in their environment.
有哪些症狀？
The symptoms of Q fever, and their severity, vary widely with some infected individuals experiencing no symptoms at all. Symptoms can mirror those of the flu and include fever, chills, cough, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, chest pain, stomach pain and weight loss. More severe symptoms could include pneumonia and hepatitis.
In approximately 20% of Q fever cases, the patient’s symptoms may reoccur; this is called post-Q fever fatigue syndrome. Symptoms include constant fatigue, sweating at night, headaches, sensitivity to light, muscle aches/pains, changes to mood and/or sleep disturbances.
In rare and severe cases (less than 5% of infected people), infected individuals may experience a more severe and long-lasting infection, termed chronic Q fever. The most common symptom of chronic Q fever is inflammation of the inner heart and heart valves (endocarditis). Many months of antibiotic treatment are required to treat chronic Q fever. The condition can be fatal if not treated.
預防措施
與動物一起工作時要保持良好的衛生習慣，避免接觸其液體。請注意，動物可能被感染而沒有任何症狀。動物分娩時，避免接觸動物分娩產物。不要食用未經巴氏消毒的牛奶或奶製品。美國沒有疫苗，但是其他國家也有疫苗。
治療
Q fever is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are common to a wide variety of diseases. Since Q fever is diagnosed by a blood test, treatment may be advised before the blood test results are returned to the physician. Antibiotic treatment is most effective if begun within the first 3 days of symptoms appearing.
Many patients will recover without antibiotics, however, doxycycline is the recommended antibiotic for the treatment of more severe cases of Q fever (for non-pregnant patients). Chronic Q fever is treated with many months of antibiotic treatment (usually doxycycline and hydroxychloroquine).
驗證
通常在哪裡發生？
除新西蘭外，全球都有Q熱。由於Q熱是從受感染的動物傳播到人類的，因此，無論在何處感染動物，都可以發現Q熱。然而，由於細菌可以在風中長距離傳播，因此不需要與被感染的動物接觸。
在春季（動物出生季節）觀察到最高的Q發熱。
