I don't believe that I've made this post on Q Fever - if I did, it's a good read anyway. :)

The Most Infectious Disease in the World: Q Fever

By Pcmiztress, published Jan 29, 2008

Infectious diseases are those diseases that are contagious; these diseases include parasites, fungi, viruses, and bacteria that are able to enter a body, whether human or animal, and survive as well as multiply. Infectious diseases cause more than 15 million deaths each year. But there is one infectious disease that is considered to be the most infectious and that is Q Fever, also known as Query Fever.

Q Fever is caused by a negative form of bacteria that can lay dormant in soil and survive many changes to the environment. The bacteria are mostly found in domestic and wild animals but are mostly transferred to humans by cattle, goats, or sheep. One of the reasons why it is so infectious is because inhaling just one of these infectious bacteria whether it is from the air or from milk, urine, semen, or feces, and you can be infected. Just one single bacterium and Q Fever has started its growth in your body.

Even though only about 3% of people who contract Q Fever die of the disease, only about half of the people that become infected with Q Fever show any signs that they have it. These signs would include up to 105 degree fevers, severe headaches, confusion, chest pain, diarrhea, and most symptoms that could be considered cold or flu like, hence half of the patients that contract Q Fever develop pneumonia.

While it may take just one of those pesky bacteria to infect us humans, those who have a severe case of Q Fever may develop the continual disease in a year or it could take up to twenty years for it to develop after the infection enters our system. When Q Fever enters its chronic stage, 70% of those with the disease die. Q Fever has a tendency to cause an inflammation of the inner lining of the heart as well as triggering hepatitis months, even years after contracting the infection. Not only can the heart be affected, but the liver, lungs, and other parts of the body.

Q Fever has been reported in all US States except for Delaware, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Iowa, and Vermont. Researchers have determined that adult males, dairy and slaughterhouse workers as well as farmers are those that are most at risk for contracting Q Fever. Q fever is also at high risk for those who work with pregnant animals. Humans being infected with Q Fever is very common from being exposed to amniotic fluid of those infected.

Doxycycline and or Chloramphenicol are antibiotics used for treating Q Fever, however both medications have been determined not to take if you are pregnant and can cause side effects such as permanent teeth discoloration and hypersensitivity. Depending on the severity of the Q Fever infection, antibiotic therapy lasts at least of 2 years and depending on cardiac condition, a heart valve replacement may possibly be needed.

There is a vaccine available for Q Fever, only to be given to humans, however it is only available in Eastern Europe and Australia.

Q Fever is not only a very infectious disease, it is also a very powerful weapon. Q Fever has been designated an agent in biological warfare and is also feared to be used as a form of terrorism. Biological agents, such as Q Fever, can be made quickly and easily as well as spread in seconds. If any of the population is vaccinated with the Q Fever vaccine, the protection lasts for at least five years, however the vaccine does not protect against a biological warfare agent that is strictly manufactured for mass destruction.

If Q Fever was the agent chosen to create a biological warfare, it would be spread as an aerosolized cloud and had already been successfully tested back in the 50's under a study called Operation Whitecoat. All those involved in this test were successfully nursed back to health; however there are other testing conditions that were not in a controlled environment.

When America began its development of biological weapons after World War II, a certain amount of organized programs were conducted without public knowledge to where biological warfare agents such as Q Fever, and Anthrax, and many other agents, were released into urban areas such as subways in an attempt as an experiment. At the time, Q Fever's agent was a stimulant that was considered harmless, but for the state of Utah, these tests introduced the disease to their area along with other harmful and deadly diseases.

Q Fever is not something that should be taken lightly. This is a very infectious and lethal disease that if put into the wrong hands could kill millions of people. If you find yourself in any of the above mentioned working conditions or even feel like a cold or flu is coming on, it may be something more than what you bargained for. Make sure that you see your doctor before this disease has time to do its worst. More resources