What Is Q Fever?
7. Medications
Antibiotics treatment for Q fever helps to reduce the disease duration especially if it is started within 3 days after the onset of illness. Antibiotics are usually given for 14 to 21 days in the outpatient setting. The current treatment of choice is doxycycline with fluoroquinolones as an alternative. In cases where there is meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the meninges and brain), fluoroquinolones have an advantage as it has better cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) penetration.
Macrolides such as clarithromycin and azithromycin can also be used as alternatives. In chronic Q fever, a combination of doxycycline and hydroxychloroquine for at least 18 months is recommended. Alternative options include a combination of doxycycline and fluoroquinolone (3 to 4 years), or doxycycline or fluoroquinolones with rifampin.
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