Q Fever Symptoms: From Mild to Severe

Q fever, caused by Coxiella burnetii, presents with a wide spectrum of severity.

Mild Symptoms (Acute Q Fever)

• Fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
• Often self-limiting; may resemble flu.

Severe Symptoms

• Severe pneumonia (often atypical).
• Endocarditis (heart valve infection)—major cause of chronic Q fever mortality.
• Hepatitis (liver inflammation).
• Kidney failure.
• Death (rare, <2% of acute cases).

Chronic Sequelae

Can cause post-Q fever fatigue syndrome (long-term extreme tiredness, cognitive difficulties) lasting years.

Transmission and Prevention

Primarily inhaled from contaminated dust (birth products, urine, feces of infected livestock). High-risk: farmers, veterinarians, abattoir workers. Vaccine available in Australia (Q-Vax) for occupational exposure.