Q-FEVER

An acute (abrupt-onset), self-limited febrile illness first reported in 1935 in Queensland, Australia. The Q is said not to be for Queensland, but for Query since the cause of the disease was long a query (question mark). It is now known to be due to Coxiella burnetti, a rickettsia (a peculiar group of bacteria). Aside from sudden onset of fever, there is headache, malaise, and pneumonia (interstitial pneumonitis) but no rash.