Q Fever.

Q fever is a significant infectious disease threat to US military personnel deployed in the Middle East. Its environmental stability, aerosol transmission, and animal reservoir make it a considerable risk for deployed troops due to its potential for weaponization and risk of natural infection. It presents as a flu-like illness that responds promptly to antimicrobial therapy. Q fever should be suspected in patients presenting with a compatible febrile illness in an endemic area and especially if the individual has been exposed to livestock. Diagnosis is confirmed with serologic blood tests, but empiric therapy should be initiated when Q fever is considered. If left untreated, patients with acute Q fever can develop severe complications as well as chronic disease manifesting several months after the initial infection.