Can I talk to gumdropgirl6 more about Q Fever???

What do you want to know?

Since you're on the government conspiracy bent, lemme address that. Yes, Q Fever has been studied as a bioweapon. I survey it because it is a bioterrorism (BT) reportable disease. However, it is NOT being weaponized. Frankly, it's just not efficient enough. In a world of anthrax, tularemia, botulism, smallpox, plague and the like, Q fever just doesn't seem like such a great candidate for messing with the enemy.

Basic info: Q (query) fever is caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii. It causes mild symptoms, so can go unnoticed. In severe cases, it causes heart inflammation (endocarditis), in which case heart transplant or valve replacement may be necessary. It has a low case fatality rate (less than 1%). Can be cured with tetracycline antibiotics (Doxy et al).

In the case of your late cousin, frankly, anytime you go to the Third World, you have significant chances to catch a whole gamut of exotic diseases. I have gotten reports of patients back from tours of Iraq who have things like brucella or miscellaneous enteric parasites. I won't rule out the presence of Q fever. It's often spread through sheep afterbirth splatters, or sheep birth fluids that get mixed up in dust and blown around. That's a distinct exposure possibility in places like the Middle East. But by and large, it's a shepard's disease, not a soldier's disease.

ADDENDUM 4/18
If you are the patient's cousin, you are NOT eligible to request his medical documents. However, if his family wants to request documentation related to his autopsy and so forth, that has to be handled via the coroner's office that did the evaluation.

If the patient's parents want to get his medical records, they need to call the hospital where he was hospitalized and request the following things: history & physical, infectious disease consult, discharge summary. This will include the doctors' notes in detail. Look for mentions of "endocarditis" and definitely look for any impressions about Q Fever in the ID consult. If your cousin died in his sleep, and it really was Q fever, then it probably was due to heart infection.

If you really have to, you can subpoena the documents. This requires a lawyer.

Do not bother with the CDC or higher authorities unless you want to pester the military or VA. The CDC cannot help you. They are too far up the food chain to deal with one case of Q fever. Most disease control is done at the local level. So if you need to get answers, you will most likely find them at the local health department (whichever one it is in that jurisdiction).

I'm sorry for your family's loss. if you have anything else to add, add it to the additional notes.

Hey how are you doing today? His mom and dad have taken the steps that you have suggested to me....Thanks so much....If you have any other information for me please get in touch with me on here....You have been very helpful. Jimmy Report It