2025 ICD-10-CM code A78
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Infectious and parasitic diseases - Rickettsioses Certain infectious and parasitic diseases Feed
Q fever is a bacterial infection caused by Coxiella burnetii.
Medical necessity for Q fever treatment is established by confirming the diagnosis through laboratory testing, such as antibody detection, or by clinical presentation consistent with Q fever in individuals with a history of exposure to potential sources of infection.
Physicians diagnose Q fever based on the patient’s history of exposure to farm animals, symptoms, and a physical exam. Lab tests, such as blood tests to detect antibodies to the bacteria, and imaging studies, like chest X-rays and echocardiograms, can confirm the diagnosis and assess organ involvement.
In simple words: Q fever is an infection you can get from farm animals like sheep, cows, and goats. It's caused by tiny bacteria. You might not have any signs of being sick, but some people get flu-like symptoms, such as fever, chills, headache, and tiredness. It's important to see a doctor if you think you might have Q fever, especially if you've been around farm animals.
Q fever is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii. It's typically spread to humans through contact with infected farm animals, such as sheep, cattle, and goats. The bacteria can be present in the animals' urine, feces, milk, and especially the placenta. Humans can become infected by inhaling contaminated dust or aerosols, or less commonly, by consuming unpasteurized milk. Q fever often presents no symptoms, but when it does, they can resemble the flu and include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. In some cases, it can lead to more severe complications like pneumonia, hepatitis, or endocarditis.
Example 1: A farmer develops a sudden fever, chills, and muscle aches after assisting with a difficult birth of a lamb. He tests positive for Q fever., A veterinarian experiences fatigue, headache, and night sweats for several weeks after treating a herd of goats. After further investigation, she is diagnosed with Q fever., An abattoir worker develops pneumonia and hepatitis. Blood tests reveal antibodies to Coxiella burnetii, confirming a diagnosis of Q fever.
Documentation should include patient history, including potential exposure to farm animals or their products; presenting symptoms like fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and respiratory issues; physical exam findings; and results of laboratory and imaging studies confirming the presence of C. burnetii infection and assessing the extent of organ involvement.
- Specialties:Infectious Disease, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Occupational Medicine
- Place of Service:Office, Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Home