Taylor Boland Rigby, MD; Tyler Grunow, MD; Jillian Landeck, MD; Kathryn M. Schmit, MD; Jennifer Lochner, MD
WMJ. 2023;122(3):196-199
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Q fever is a zoonotic disease with a variable clinical presentation and potentially fatal complications. While rare, it is more common in rural areas due to its transmission from animals, including cattle.
Case Presentation: A 3-year-old boy presented in December 2020 with intermittent fevers, headache, rash, and lymphadenopathy. After several months of symptoms, he was diagnosed with acute Q fever.
Discussion: This case demonstrates the importance of considering Q fever in the differential diagnosis when a patient presents with nonspecific infectious symptoms and an epidemiological link that places them at risk.
Conclusions: While rare, Q fever is a potentially serious infection that can affect people living in Wisconsin’s rural farming communities.