Disease & Vaccine A–Z

Diseases beginning with Q

U.S.-focused summaries with current official guidance links. For a diagnosis, personal vaccine schedule, pregnancy advice, or urgent symptoms, speak with a qualified clinician.

Q Fever

No U.S. vaccine available

Disease

An infection caused by Coxiella burnetii bacteria, usually acquired from infected livestock or contaminated farm dust.

Symptoms

Many people have no symptoms. Acute illness can cause fever, chills or sweats, severe headache, fatigue, muscle aches, cough, nausea, diarrhea, or chest pain.

Typical duration

Symptoms commonly begin 2 to 3 weeks after exposure. Acute illness often resolves within 2 to 3 weeks, while chronic Q fever can appear months or years later and requires prolonged care.

How serious is it?

Some people develop pneumonia, hepatitis, or chronic infection—often involving a heart valve. Risk is higher with heart-valve or blood-vessel disease, weakened immunity, and pregnancy.

Treatment & management

CDC recommends doxycycline for symptomatic acute Q fever, typically for two weeks. Chronic Q fever requires specialist care and a prolonged combination-antibiotic regimen.

Vaccine: who and when?

No Q fever vaccine is licensed or available for use in the United States. A vaccine used in Australia is not a U.S.-licensed product.

Check the current CDC guidance for Q Fever →

Cost and access: Patient cost varies by insurance, provider, location, and eligibility. Many recommended vaccines are covered with no out-of-pocket cost under qualifying plans, and eligible children may receive vaccines through the Vaccines for Children program. CDC price lists are purchasing benchmarks—not guaranteed patient prices. CDC price and program context.

Last reviewed against official U.S. sources: September 5, 2026. This page provides general education, not medical advice.