Q fever

Q fever is a bacterial infection you can catch from infected farm animals such as sheep, cattle and goats. It's usually harmless, but can cause serious problems in some people.

Symptoms of Q fever

Q fever doesn't always cause symptoms. Some people get flu-like symptoms within 2 to 3 weeks of being infected, such as:

• a high temperature (fever)
• aching muscles
• tiredness
• feeling sick
• a sore throat
• swollen glands

Symptoms of Q fever usually last up to 2 weeks.

How Q fever is spread

Q fever is most often spread to humans by close contact with infected farm animals.

The bacteria can be spread by contact with:

• afterbirth (placenta)
• blood
• pee
• poo
• hides, fur and wool

The bacteria in these products can be breathed in.

You can also get Q fever from drinking unpasteurised milk (milk that hasn't been heated to kill bacteria), but this is less likely.

Although Q fever is rare, people who work closely with animals are more at risk, such as farmers, vets, stablehands and abattoir workers.

See a GP if you think you have Q fever and:

• you're pregnant – Q fever can cause miscarriage and serious complications if it spreads to your baby, especially if you catch it early in pregnancy
• your immune system is weakened, for example if you have had an organ transplant or you're having chemotherapy – the infection may affect your eyes or brain
• you have heart valve disease – where 1 or more of your heart valves are diseased or damaged

Chronic Q fever sometimes leads to serious heart problems, such as endocarditis.

People with chronic Q fever may need a much longer course of antibiotics and treatment in hospital for any complications that develop.