Q fever (early)

Treatment:

Treatment with antibiotics can suppress the symptoms and shorten the length of the illness. Antibiotics that are commonly used include any of the tetracycline derivatives, doxycycline, rifampin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Chloramphenicol may also used.

Note: oral tetracycline is usually not prescribed for children until after all the permanent teeth have erupted; it can permanently discolor teeth that are still forming.

Expectations (prognosis):

As a general rule, recovery occurs even with out treatment. However, complications, when they occur, can be very serious and sometimes even life-threatening. It is recommended that this disorder be treated any time that it is recognized as the cause of symptoms.

Complications:

• relapse of infection--see Q fever (late)
• endocarditis
• chronic hepatitis
• encephalitis
• osteomyelitis
• pneumonia

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if symptoms of Q fever develop.

Also call if you have been treated for this disorder and symptoms return, or if new symptoms develop.