The WeChat public account of "Jiangyin People's Hospital" reported that last November, Mr. Gu from Changzhou sought medical attention at Jiangyin People's Hospital's fever clinic due to physical discomfort. Mr. Gu stated that ten days ago, after returning to China from Africa, he started experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, fatigue, and muscle aches in his limbs, along with palpitations and chest tightness.
Jiangsu man falls ill upon returning from Africa
The fever clinic doctor conducted a detailed inquiry into Mr. Gu's past medical history and performed a thorough physical examination. Chest CT scan results showed extensive inflammatory lesions in Mr. Gu's lungs. Given the severity of Mr. Gu's lung infection, the clinic doctor immediately admitted him to the infectious disease department for further treatment.
The medical team in the infectious disease department was highly attentive to Mr. Gu's "recent return from abroad" and, considering the epidemiological background in Africa, strongly suspected that he might have been infected by a specific pathogen. The medical team arranged for a bronchoscopy for Mr. Gu, and through genetic testing of lavage fluid, they finally identified the pathogen—Coxiella burnetii, commonly known as "Q fever."
With the careful treatment and meticulous care provided by the infectious disease medical team, Mr. Gu's symptoms of fever, cough, and chest tightness gradually eased. A follow-up CT scan showed significant improvement in the lung inflammation. Mr. Gu has since recovered and been discharged.
After the news broke, many netizens were quite panicked, saying things like "Isolate him, don't let it become another COVID," and "The earliest COVID-19 cases appeared on social media just like this, oh God, please don't let it become another COVID..."
What is Q fever?
Q fever is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii. It was first discovered in Queensland, Australia, and was named Q fever (taking the initial of "Query," meaning doubt) due to the unknown cause at the time.
Main sources of Q fever infection
The bacteria causing Q fever are primarily found in the urine, feces, and amniotic fluid of infected animals. Common domestic animals like dogs, sheep, cattle, horses, and donkeys are the main sources of infection.
What are the symptoms of Q fever infection?
1. Fever
Patients' body temperature can rise to 38~40℃, often accompanied by chills, loss of appetite, and muscle aches.
2. Severe headache
The headache is primarily in the forehead and occipital areas, progressing to diffuse headache.
3. Respiratory symptoms
Sore throat, pharyngeal congestion, pharyngitis; most patients will exhibit lung lesions, such as cough and chest pain.
4. Hepatic symptoms
Often causes hepatitis, with most patients showing abnormal liver function and jaundice.
5. Other organ symptoms
Myocarditis, nephritis, etc. Patients with a disease course exceeding six months are prone to endocarditis, with rare cases of spinal cord inflammation and encephalitis.
How is Q fever treated?
Q fever is primarily treated with antibiotics, with doxycycline being commonly used. Patients with complications involving heart valves may require supplementary surgical treatment.
If you suspect Q fever infection, you should go to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible. The treatment cycle for acute Q fever is about two weeks, while chronic Q fever can last for several years. Generally, the prognosis for patients is favorable.