Goat flu (Q fever)

The Goat flu belongs to the zoonoses. This disease, which is transmitted from animals to humans, is also used Q fever called. Goat flu is a reportable disease that occurs worldwide except New Zealand and Antarctica. Goat flu should not be confused with the childhood disease goat Peter.

What is the goat flu?

Despite being labeled as flu Goat flu not caused by viruses. Rather, they are bacteria called Coxiella burnettii, which belong to the same order as the legionnaires' disease pathogens.

After an incubation period of up to 40 days, those affected with Q fever show flu-like symptoms with high fever, chills, headache and general weakness. The disease is transmitted through contact with infected animals, which are often asymptomatic. In particular, inhaling hay and straw particles contaminated with the bacteria leads to an infection with goat flu.

Only around half of those infected show the symptoms, which subside after the course of the disease for up to two weeks. If symptoms of goat flu occur, developing pneumonia is one of the main risks of Q fever, although the mortality rate is estimated to be low at 1 to 2 percent.

causes

Contagion with Goat flu is mainly possible through contact with infected animals or with materials contaminated by these animals. The main carriers are farm animals or dairy products contaminated by them.

Possible carriers of the infection can, however, also be pets such as dogs or cats, which mostly become carriers of Q fever through the bites of infected ticks. The bacteria often leave the host body during the birth process and are excreted with the afterbirth or the amniotic sac.

The endangered group of people therefore includes veterinarians, farmers and other people such as slaughterhouse staff who are with the animals or in the area of ​​contaminated stables. The long-lived goat flu pathogens are absorbed through the breath.

Once in the body, they multiply quickly, preferably in the respiratory tract. Pneumonia as an accompanying symptom of goat flu is therefore not uncommon.

Typical symptoms & signs

• high fever
• General weakness
• chills
• Muscle pain or aching limbs
• a headache
• possibly hepatitis and / or pneumonia

Diagnosis & course

The Goat flu is often undiagnosed due to the similarity of symptoms to common flu. In the event of suspected cases due to the working environment in the vicinity of animals, a serological test is carried out, in which the existence of antibodies as a reaction to goat flu is detected.

Without the addition of serious symptoms such as pneumonia or other organs such as the liver and heart, goat flu actually proceeds in a similar way to a flu-like infection. After the incubation period, Q fever begins with a rising fever, soon followed by symptoms typical of the flu, such as headache, chills and general malaise including muscle pain.

The severe form of goat flu with accompanying pneumonia manifests itself in the first few days. If this does not happen, the symptoms of goat flu will subside after seven to ten days.

Complications

Goat flu has a very negative effect on the quality of life of those affected and can lead to a number of different complaints. Since the symptoms are not particularly characteristic and do not immediately indicate the disease, in many cases treatment is delayed. The patients themselves suffer from goat flu from a high fever and also from a general weakness.

There is permanent tiredness and exhaustion and those affected no longer actively participate in everyday life. Severe headaches and aching limbs can also occur and significantly affect the everyday life of the person concerned. Most patients develop pneumonia, which in the worst case can be fatal.

As a rule, treatment for goat flu does not result in any particular complications or any other serious course. The symptoms are relieved with the help of antibiotics and the disease usually progresses relatively quickly. If the flu is not treated, it can also lead to inflammation of the pericardium, which can be fatal. In most cases, the patient's life expectancy is not adversely affected by this condition.

When should you go to the doctor?

A high fever is considered a sign of a health condition. A doctor should be seen before serious complications or sequelae occur. Decreased physical performance, general weakness, internal dryness and chills should be investigated and treated. Diffuse pain in the organism, disorders of the muscular system, and irregularities in the limbs and joints should be presented to a doctor. If the symptoms persist or if they increase in intensity, a doctor's visit is necessary immediately.

With goat flu, the pathogens multiply in the human body within a short period of time. Therefore, changes in health can develop rapidly. There is a need for action in the event of headaches, disorders of concentration and increased tiredness. If the person concerned complains about general functional disorders, this is to be regarded as an alarm signal from the organism. In the event of inconsistencies in breathing or breathing noises, consult a doctor immediately.

If left untreated, the reportable illness can take a serious course. In the worst case, there is a risk of premature death. In addition, there is a high risk of infection for people from the immediate vicinity. For the reasons mentioned, a doctor should be reported about the observations at the first signs of a change in health. A diagnosis is necessary so that medical care can be initiated immediately.

Treatment & Therapy

When treating Goat flu it is important that the symptoms are recognized as a bacterial infection rather than a viral infection. If this has been correctly diagnosed, antibiotics are the means of choice. They fight the bacteria and quickly cause symptoms to subside.

Patients are given antipyretic and pain relievers to relieve them, as goat flu is accompanied by muscle aches and headaches. Because of the persistent fever, patients have to drink a lot to make up for the loss of fluids. If the course of the disease is more severe, such as pericarditis or pneumonia, inpatient treatment is advisable.

For chronic goat flu, a combination of antibiotics is used for long-term therapy. Anti-malarials are also effective against goat flu, some of which are also used successfully for rheumatic diseases.

prevention

For Goat flu there is a vaccine that is not approved in Germany. It is only used in the USA with the express permission of the Department of Defense for groups of people at risk, as goat flu is particularly monitored as a possible biological weapon. The only way to prevent this is to treat farm animals carefully. Protective clothing should be worn if Q fever is suspected in the livestock.

Aftercare

Goat flu usually does not require any special aftercare. After the illness, complications or a return of Q fever are unlikely. Follow-up care focuses primarily on assessing the general condition of the patient and ensuring that the disease has been completely cured.

If necessary, there is an explanation of the causes of goat flu in the work environment. The triggers must be resolved promptly in order to avoid re-infection with the virus. If the disease is severe, health problems such as inflammation of the lungs or heart may occur, which must be observed over a longer period of time. Patients should make sure that the disease is cured quickly.

Follow-up care is carried out by the responsible specialist. Since Q fever is often not diagnosed at all, treatment and follow-up care are often provided by the general practitioner. Follow-up care takes place immediately after recovery. If the course is difficult, further follow-up appointments must be arranged at short intervals. In-patient treatment in the hospital is necessary if the symptoms are severe. Then further specialists must be involved in the treatment to clarify whether the lungs, heart or immune system are involved.

You can do that yourself

As with any other flu-like illness, patients can support the healing process with home remedies in parallel to antibiotic therapy. Strict bed rest and adequate sleep are particularly important in order to protect the metabolism burdened by the infection and to activate self-healing.

Pain-killing medication, which also has a fever-lowering effect, is particularly helpful against headache and limb pain, which often occurs as accompanying symptoms. These include, above all, preparations with the active ingredients paracetamol or acetylsalicylic acid. Cold compresses on the calves and forehead also help lower body temperature and, most importantly, relieve excruciating headaches.

Since goat flu sufferers sweat profusely due to the often high fever, it is also important to ensure that they are drinking enough fluids. Cool, but not ice-cold, non-carbonated water as well as diluted fruit juices and unsweetened herbal teas are best for this. Teas made from elderberry or linden blossom are said to have a sweat-inducing and thus anti-infection effect. As a meal, patients prefer light meals such as cooked vegetables and clear soups to relieve the metabolism and still provide the necessary nutrients. Chicken broth, in particular, has an additional anti-fever effect and strengthens the immune system if you have the flu.