Overview
Q fever is an infectious disease caused by a tiny bacterium called Coxiella burnetii. The name stands for 'Query fever,' because when it was first discovered in the 1930s, doctors were not sure what was causing it. Q fever is considered a zoonotic disease, meaning it spreads from animals to people. Cattle, sheep, and goats are the most common sources, but other animals can carry it too. People usually get infected by breathing in dust or tiny droplets contaminated with the bacteria — for example, near farms, slaughterhouses, or places where animals give birth. Q fever can affect the body in two main ways. Acute Q fever comes on suddenly and feels a lot like a bad flu — with high fever, severe headache, muscle aches, fatigue, and sometimes a dry cough or stomach pain. Most people recover within a few weeks with antibiotic treatment. However, in a smaller number of people — especially those with heart valve problems, weakened immune systems, or who are pregnant — the infection can become chronic (long-lasting). Chronic Q fever most often affects the heart valves, causing a serious condition called endocarditis, and requires many months of antibiotic treatment. The good news is that most people with acute Q fever recover fully with the right antibiotics, particularly doxycycline. Chronic Q fever is more serious but can be managed with a combination of antibiotics taken over a long period. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to a good outcome.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
High fever (often above 104°F / 40°C)Severe headacheExtreme tiredness and fatigueMuscle aches and painsChills and sweatingDry coughChest painNausea, vomiting, or diarrheaStomach painSkin rash (less common)Confusion or difficulty thinking clearlyJoint painShortness of breathWeight loss (especially in chronic cases)Night sweats (especially in chronic cases)
Clinical phenotype terms (50)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Q fever.
View clinical trials →Clinical Trials
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Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Q fever.
Community
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Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Do I have acute or chronic Q fever, and how does that change my treatment plan?,How long will I need to take antibiotics, and what side effects should I watch out for?,Do I need any heart tests, like an echocardiogram, to check if my heart valves are affected?,How will we know if the treatment is working, and what follow-up tests will I need?,Am I at risk of developing post-Q fever fatigue syndrome, and what can I do to prevent or manage it?,Should other people in my household or workplace be tested or take any precautions?,Are there any activities or exposures I should avoid while I am being treated?
Common questions about Q fever
What is Q fever?
Q fever is an infectious disease caused by a tiny bacterium called Coxiella burnetii. The name stands for 'Query fever,' because when it was first discovered in the 1930s, doctors were not sure what was causing it. Q fever is considered a zoonotic disease, meaning it spreads from animals to people. Cattle, sheep, and goats are the most common sources, but other animals can carry it too. People usually get infected by breathing in dust or tiny droplets contaminated with the bacteria — for example, near farms, slaughterhouses, or places where animals give birth. Q fever can affect the body in t
How is Q fever inherited?
Q fever follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
Which specialists treat Q fever?
9 specialists and care centers treating Q fever are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.