#BlogchatterA2Z- “Q”: Q fever: causes, symptoms & homeopathic treatment!

It is day 17 of #BlogchatterA2Z and as alphabet “Q”, I am ready to share detail information about another common disease condition begins with “Q”.  

Honestly, “Q” is a tricky alphabet and there are not many disease conditions that beings with “Q”.  

As “Q”, I am talking about “Q or query fever”. What is Q fever? What are causes, type and symptoms? How it can be prevented and treated? What is scope of homeopathic treatment for treating Q fever symptoms? Read the post to know more.  

What is “Q Fever”?  

“Q fever or query fever” is a less common disease condition caused by bacteria Coxiella burnetii. This bacterial infection is most commonly found in sheep, goats and cattle. These animals act as a carrier and spread infection in human beings. 

 Certain occupations like farmer, vetenary doctors and people who work in animal research industry have a higher chance of developing Coxiella burnetii infection. As per CDC, Q fever is first recognized as a human disease in year 1935 and in the USA in year 1940. It has been named as “Query fever” because the cause of fever was unknown in during initial days.  

Though Q fever cases can occur during any time of year, but the peak incidence has been observed during month of April and May. These two months also the peak time of birthing season for cattle, sheep and goats, so the chances of infection rate also get higher during these two months.  

Mild cases of Q fever infections did not require specific treatment and get cured on its own within few days. But, severe cases of Q fever cause many troubling symptoms (like high fever, chill and diarrhea) and require proper antibiotic treatment for cure.  

The chronic form of “Q fever” is most serious and it cause life threatening complications by affecting vital organs of body like heart, lungs and brain.  

How “Q” fever spreads?  

Image source: cdc.gov 

Q fever is spread from animals (mainly sheep, goat and cattle) to human. When Coxiella burnetii bacteria causes infection in animals, they excrete a contaminated urine and faeces. In fact, this bacterial infection also common during animal birth process and bacteria Coxiella burnetii may present in the amniotic fluid and placental part of infected animals.  Usually, infected animals did not produce any specific signs and symptoms, and it is hard to diagnose their disease condition on the basis of any clinical symptoms.  

When human, mostly those who are in close contact with animals due to their occupation (like farmers and veterinary doctors) breath through the dust contaminated by Coxiella burnetii bacteria, the bacteria go in their body through respiration and causes Coxiella burnetti infection in them too.  

People who live near the farm or animal research area are also more prone to get this bacterial infection. As Coxiella burntii can spread through air up to long distance and can cause infection in people who stay in nearby area. 

Types of Q fever 

There are mainly three types of q fever:  

• Mild Q fever  
• Acute Q fever 
• Chronic Q fever 

Mild Q fever 

 in this type of “Q fever” infection, patient has minor flu like symptoms. These symptoms have mild intensity and did not require any specific treatment. They get cured on their own within few days.  

Acute Q fever 

this type of “Q fever” has more serious symptoms than mild cases and usually require a proper anti-biotic treatment of short duration for cure.  

Chronic Q fever 

This is less common type of “Q fever” and affect small number of populations. Here are some risk factors that causes chronic type of Q fever.  

• People who have weakened immune system  
• Old age people 
• People who already suffering from heart diseases (like heart valve infection) and kidney infections.  

Sign and symptoms  

Q fever infection did not cause any specific symptoms in many people. Also, it takes 3-4 weeks of time to develop the symptoms after exposure to bacterial infection.  

In mild cases, there is only flu like symptoms appear and these symptoms go away on its own without specific treatment.  

For more serious cases, “Q fever” causes more severe symptoms like:  

• High grade fever (more than 105-degree F)  
• Chill  
• Nausea 
• Bodyache 
• Diarrhea  
• Cough  
• Chest pain while breathing  
• Jaundice  
• Shortness of breath  
• Muscular soreness and muscle pain  

The chronic type of “Q fever” is most serious and it may affect vital organs too, like:  

• Heart  
• Lungs 
• Brain  
• And liver  

If left untreated, chronic q fever may cause life threating complications by affecting above mentioned vital organs.  

Diagnosis 

Making a clear diagnosis of Q fever condition is extremely difficult for doctors, because:  

• It is a rare condition and less commonly observed  
• Many times, patients did not have specific symptoms or symptoms are present like as flu or other viral infection.  

In suspected cases, doctor perform a blood antibody detection test to confirm the bacterial infection for making a clear diagnosis of Q fever.  

Also, in high-risk cases (occupational and old age patients who had heart or kidney diseases), doctors also perform eco cardiogram and other tests to rule out the possibility of infection in these vital organs.  

Prevention  

Q fever vaccine is available only in Australia and mostly given to those who are at risk (occupational)  

But right now, this vaccine is not available in other parts of world. As a preventive measure, high risk people (who work in animal industry) can follow some steps to prevent infection. Here is an infographic to understand the “preventive measures” in case of Q fever. 

mage source: blogs.unimelb.edu.au 

Treatment  

Anti-biotic (doxycycline) is one of the most effective treatment for Q fever. For acute and less severe cases, it is recommended to take 1–2-week course but for chronic cases, a long duration antibiotic course (18-24 months) is recommended to treat condition.  

Homeopathic perspective 

Q fever is lesser known and rare fever condition. Especially in India, there are only few cases of Q fever has been diagnosed so far. Because of this, there is lack of clinical data or record about efficacy of homeopathic remedies in treatment of Q fever.  

If affected person has a history of exposure to livestock or farm animals or already follow in high-risk zone ( vetenary doctors or people who work in animal research industry etc.), then it is very important to take a professional consultation to make a confirm diagnosis of existing fever condition, by proper clinical examination and lab test.  

Using homeopathic remedies without having a clear diagnosis of disease condition is risky and may prove life-threatening in some case.  

Here I am listing few general “Fever remedies” that can be used along with proper conventional treatment, to reduce the fever and associated symptoms.  

Bio chemic combination no. 11 (for pyrexia) 

Image source: distacart.com 

Bio chemic combination no. 11 is a great combination for treating symptoms of fever in general. It contains ferrom phos 12X, kali phos 6X, Natrum sulph 6X and many great fever remedies and work good in reliving “Fever” symptoms in general.  

Dose: 4 tablets 3-4 times a day  

Gelsemium

Image source: distacart.com 

Gelsemium is a top-grade fever remedy, when patient has peculiar symptoms of “Dullness, dizziness and drowsiness”. When patient feel nervous weakness, this remedy works best.  

Dose: 30 potency, 5-6 globules, 3-4 times a day 

Eupatorium perf 

Image source: distacart.com 

Eupatorium perf is another top-grade remedy for treating various type of fever. When fever is associated with severe bodyache, bone pain and headache. Along with fever, when there is symptoms of nausea and vomiting is present eupatorium work best.  

Dose: 30 potency, 5-6 globules, 3-4 times a day 

Bryonia alba 

Image source: distacart.com 

When patient has a joint pain and dry cough along with fever, Bryonia is the remedy to use. Also, when complain aggravated by motion and relived by motion, bryonia gives best results. Patient usually lie down on bed and afraid to movement, as movement make his symptoms worse.  

Dose: 30 potency, 5-6 globules, 3-4 times a day 

Belladona 

Image source: distacart.com 

Belladona is best “Anti- inflammatory medicine”. It can be used for treating high fever of sudden onset with profuse sweating. Also, patient has hypersensitivity to noise and light.  

Dose: 30 potency, 5-6 globules, 3-4 times a day 

So, these were some common fever remedies that can be used on the basis of symptoms similarity. For best, results, it is always recommended to take professional homeopathic treatment to get best remedy as per your individual symptoms.  

So, this is all for now.  

As “R”, I will talk about “Runny nose and homeopathic treatment”. Stay tuned to know more.

Read the previous posts of the series here: 

A: Acidity: causes, symptoms & homeopathic treatment  

B: baby colic : causes, symptoms & homeopathic treatment 

C: Common childhood injuires: causes, symptoms & homeopathic treatment! 

D: Diarrhea: causes, symptoms & homeopathic treatment! 

E: Ear pain, causes, symptoms & homeopathic treatment 

F: “Fever”- causes, symptoms & homeopathic treatment! 

 G: “Gingivitis”: causes, symptoms & homeopathic treatment! 

H: “Hair loss”: common causes, symptoms & homeopathic treatment!  

This post is a part of Blogchatter A2Z Challenge

Disclaimer: the post is written for educational purpose only. did not intend to cure, treat or diagnose any disease condition. always consult your doctor before making any significant changes to your medication or starting any new medication.

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