Q-Fever

Overview

How can I get sick? 

• By breathing in dust of contaminated poop, pee, milk, or dried birthing fluids.  
• Direct contact with an infected* animal and its secretions.  
• Eating or drinking contaminated unpasteurized (raw, straight from the animal) milk products.

Symptoms in humans:  

• Fever (when your body gets a little hotter than normal)  

• Chills (feeling of being cold and shivering) 
• Sweats 
• Tiredness 
• Headache 
• Muscle pain 
• Feeling like you need to throw up 
• Throwing up 
• Diarrhea (runny poop) 
• Chest Pain 
• Weight loss 
• Dry cough  

Symptoms in animals: 

Most animals will not show any signs or symptoms but can still spread the bacteria.  

The main symptom that can be seen in pregnant animals: 

• Abortion (loss of baby) 
• Infertility (difficulty having baby) 
• Stillbirth*
• Mastitis*
• Metritis*

What can I do to stay healthy? 

• Do not eat or drink raw milk or any raw milk products.  
• Avoid contact with animal birthing fluids such as placenta*. 
• If you are helping an animal give birth, make sure to protect yourself by wearing gloves, a mask, and gown. 
• Avoid contact with animals that are infected*, but this can be difficult as most animals might not show signs of illness. Avoid areas where potentially infected* animals are kept.  

*Definitions:

• Infected: When germs get inside of a body, animal, or an organism.  
• Mastitis: Swelling in the breast, which is usually caused by an infection.   
• Metritis: Swelling of the uterus.  
• Placenta: Temporary body part that forms during pregnancy.  
• Stillbirth: Death of a baby before or during childbirth.