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Q Fever Discharge Instructions


About this topic


Q fever is an infection caused by a germ. It can affect your lungs, liver, and heart. It can also affect other parts of your body. The germ most often lives inside the body of animals. Some of these are sheep, goats, cattle, dogs, cats, horses, pigs, camels, and birds. The germs are passed to humans from an animals milk, stool, or urine. They can also be passed through blood or body fluids. The fluids and materials present when an animal gives birth also have the germ. ‚  
Some people do not need any treatment at all. Others may need drugs to help them get well. The doctor may also give you drugs to ease your other signs. ‚  


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What care is needed at home?


  • Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
  • Take all drugs as ordered by your doctor.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds, especially before eating or after using the toilet. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers also work to kill germs.
  • Get lots of rest. Sleep when you are feeling tired. Avoid doing tiring activities.
  • If you work with animals or in a veterinary clinic, be sure to know the source of infection. Clean the area well.

What follow-up care is needed?


Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚  

What drugs may be needed?


The doctor may order drugs to: ‚  
  • Lower fever
  • Help with headaches
  • Ease muscle and joint pain
  • Treat dry cough
  • Treat infection

Will physical activity be limited?


You may have to limit your activities until your signs are gone. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚  

What problems could happen?


  • If you are pregnant, your baby may be small or born too early. You may also have a miscarriage or stillbirth.
  • Lung infection
  • Liver problems
  • Brain infection
  • Heart problems
  • Q fever does not get better

What can be done to prevent this health problem?


  • Avoid eating or drinking unpasteurized milk and dairy products.
  • Avoid contact with animal blood, stools, or urine.
  • If you have a skin wound, protect it with a waterproof bandage.
  • If you work with animals:
    • Get tested often. Also, test the animals for Q fever.
    • Make sure that you throw away animal birth products, stool, or other wastes the right way.
    • Follow proper ways to bag, disinfect, and wash work clothes and tools that touch animals.
  • If you are pregnant:
    • Avoid contact with animals.
    • Do not handle clothes, boots, or tools used for animal care.
  • Take extra care with farm animals if you have heart, liver, or kidney problems.
  • Ask your doctor if vaccines are available.

When do I need to call the doctor?


  • Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, muscle and joint pain, very bad headache or throwing up.
  • Short of breath
  • Night sweats
  • Yellowing of skin and eyes
  • Feeling very tired
  • Belly pain
  • Light colored stools
  • You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse

Teach Back: Helping You Understand


The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚  
  • I can tell you about my condition.
  • I can tell you what changes I need to make with my drugs or activities.
  • I can tell you ways to help prevent this infection.
  • I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever, belly pain, yellowing of my skin or eyes, or feel short of breath.

Where can I learn more?


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚  
http://www.cdc.gov/qfever/index.html ‚  
National Organization for Rare Disorders ‚  
http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/621/viewAbstract ‚  
NHS Choices ‚  
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Q-Fever/Pages/Introduction.aspx ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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