Q for Q Fever

Ok, so this post is kind of a stretch as far as my theme is concerned, but give me a break, my entomology dictionary (yes, they do exist see proof) only had 2 and a half pages of Q words and, I wasn't in the mood to drone on about Q for Queen (bug pun did you catch it? No. You're hopeless.).

Pudding.
Do you like the way I cropped out the messy desk?

Fun Facts :

1) Q Fever (Query fever) Is a disease caused by a microbe called Coxiella burnetii. It was first described in slaughterhouse workers in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Its distribution is worldwide, New Zealand being the exception. (source: Wikipedia)

wikipedia

2) In Australia, C. burnetii occurs in bandicoots (so very cute), which is circulated by ticks (Haemaphysalis humerosa and Ixodes holocyclus, not so cute). Kangaroos can also be infected as well as domestic livestock. Other animals that can be infected include: sheep, goats, cattle, dogs, cats, birds, rodents, and ticks.

3) Q Fever affects mainly the heart, liver and lungs. Humans are mostly infected by inhalation. Drinking raw milk has also caused infection in rare cases. (source: MedlinePlus, NIH website)

4) People at highest risk for this infection are: farmers, slaughterhouse workers, sheep and dairy workers, and veterinarians.

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5) Symptoms: It takes about 20 days after exposure to the bacteria for symptoms to surface. Though people can have Q fever without knowing it and can be mistake for a mild flu.

 Acute Q fever  symptoms can include:

Fever, Fatigue, Muscle pain, Chills and sweating, Headache, Cough, Shortness of breath, Clay-colored stools,General feeling of sickness and loss of appetite

Chronic Q fever symptoms can include :

Chills, Fatigue, Night sweats, Prolonged fever, Shortness of breath

Several complications can arise from this disease; one of the most common being pneumonia.

6) If untreated, symptoms can last 2-6 weeks and most people make a full recovery, becoming immune to repeat infections. However, people develop chronic infections which affect the heart (endocarditis) or the liver (hepatitis). Some people develop chronic fatigue, which can last for years after the initial infection. 

7) Treatment: Q Fever can be treated successfully with antibiotics with early detection.Q fever is rarely fatal however patients with existing heart disease are at a greater risk.

So that was all the boring stuff, keep reading...

Q Fever as a Biological Weapon

8) Q Fever is interesting because of its potential as a biological weapon. Apparently, millitaries favor Coxiella burnetii because it is highly contagious and for its incapacitating affects rather than lethal affect on human populations. 

The United States investigated this possibility in  the 1950s at Fort Detrick and Dugway Proving Ground (scratching Fort Detrick and DPG off my vacation list). The experiments were designed to determine the median infective dose (dose required to produce effect in 50% of a test population). Human trials were conducted on volunteers called Whitecoats (enlisted personnel who volunteered for medical trials were nicknamed "Whitecoats"). Volunteers who developed symptoms were treated with antibiotics. All recovered. Operation Whitecoat continued for almost two decades (sources: GlobalSecurity.org, Wikipedia).  

Oh snap! How the heck did I get WAY of topic? But while I'm at it, I'll leave you with one last Q word....yes, it has to be... QUEEN.

My favorite rendition (: