What Is Q Fever?
6. Treatment and Management
In Q fever, it is important to exclude other life-threatening diseases. While anti-microbial therapy is the first-line of treatment, most patients improve on their own. Once Q fever is diagnosed, antibiotic administration should be performed to prevent the disease from progressing to chronic disease, which can become resistant to treatment.
Additional measures include the use of antipyretics, antitussives, and supportive care with fluids to increase patient comfort. In some cases, surgery may be necessary, especially where there are cardiovascular complications such as valve replacement or mycotic aneurysm. Antibiotics should be continued after surgery as the organism may persist in the endocardial tissue after valve replacement. A consultation with an infectious diseases specialist is also required especially in patients with chronic Q fever.
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