This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Go to /pro/cpd-dashboard page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. CPD dashboard

Go to /account/subscription-details page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. Upgrade to Pro

Q fever

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Q fever is a form of atypical pneumonia caused by the rickettsia-like organism Coxiella burnetti. The name originates from the term 'query' fever which was applied to the disease when first seen in abattoir workers in Australia. It accounts for less than 1% of pneumonias in the UK.

Compared to other rickettsias, C. burnetti is:

  • more resistant to physical and chemical injury
  • exhibits a negative Weil-Felix reaction - does not cross -react with Proteus antigen
  • can be transmitted to man independent of an arthropod vector
  • rash may occur but is not a major feature of the disease

Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.