Regarding Q fever infection, all of the following are true Except

Regarding Q fever infection, all of the following are true Except

• A. High mortality in humans
• B. Transmission by aerosols
• C. Reservoir animals can spread disease
• D. Infected animals can contaminate the environment

Answer: (A)

Q fever is caused by Coxiella burnetii and is mainly spread by inhalation of contaminated aerosols. Humans typically acquire the infection from aerosols generated by birth products, urine, feces, or contaminated dust from infected livestock, especially sheep, goats, and cattle. That makes transmission by aerosols and reservoir animals spreading disease both true, as well as infected animals contaminating the environment. Mortality in acute Q fever is generally low—about 1–2% in untreated or appropriately treated cases—so the idea of high mortality in humans isn’t accurate for the typical course of the infection. While chronic Q fever (such as endocarditis) can be serious, it doesn’t mean the acute form has high mortality. That’s why this option is the exception.

Q fever is caused by Coxiella burnetii and is mainly spread by inhalation of contaminated aerosols. Humans typically acquire the infection from aerosols generated by birth products, urine, feces, or contaminated dust from infected livestock, especially sheep, goats, and cattle. That makes transmission by aerosols and reservoir animals spreading disease both true, as well as infected animals contaminating the environment.

Mortality in acute Q fever is generally low—about 1–2% in untreated or appropriately treated cases—so the idea of high mortality in humans isn’t accurate for the typical course of the infection. While chronic Q fever (such as endocarditis) can be serious, it doesn’t mean the acute form has high mortality. That’s why this option is the exception.