Pediatric Acute Q Fever in Rural Wisconsin: A Case Report.

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.