Psittacosis
The Basics
Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ
What is psittacosis? " пїЅ Psittacosis is an infection that people can catch from birds and sometimes other animals. The infection usually causes sudden fever, headache, and a dry cough. It most often affects: пїЅ пїЅ
- People who own a pet bird, such as a cockatiel, parakeet, parrot, or macaw
- People who own or run a pet shop
- Veterinarians (animal doctors)
- People who work in chicken, duck, or turkey processing plants
Other names for psittacosis are "parrot fever " пїЅ and "ornithosis. " пїЅ пїЅ пїЅ
What are the symptoms of psittacosis? " пїЅ The symptoms usually start 5 to 21 days after being around an infected bird. They can include: пїЅ пїЅ
- Fever (often comes on suddenly)
- Headache (usually severe)
- Shivering
- Sweating
- Muscle aches
- Dry cough (this can develop later than other symptoms)
In severe cases, psittacosis can cause serious problems with the lungs, kidneys, liver, and other organs. In a pregnant woman, the infection can be very dangerous, even deadly, especially if the woman is infected late in pregnancy. пїЅ пїЅ
Should I see a doctor or nurse? " пїЅ If you have symptoms of psittacosis and own a pet bird or have been around birds that might have been infected, see your doctor or nurse. Similar symptoms can occur with other infections, such as the flu. But your doctor or nurse can help figure out which infection is making you ill and give you the proper treatment. пїЅ пїЅ
Will I need tests? " пїЅ Yes, if your doctor or nurse suspects you have psittacosis, he or she will order a blood test to check for your bodys response to the infection. пїЅ пїЅ
How is psittacosis treated? " пїЅ Treatment involves taking antibiotics, usually for 10 to 14 days. If you are put on antibiotics to treat psittacosis, it's very important that you take all your pills, even if you feel better before you finish them. If you don't take all your pills, your infection might come back. пїЅ пїЅ
All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ
This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ
Topic 83822 Version 2.0 пїЅ пїЅ
Release: 22.8 - C22.208 пїЅ пїЅ
пїЅ пїЅ 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ
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