General practices in Helmond are currently inviting people with certain risk factors for developing chronic Q fever for the ‘Q-screen’. This is a regional population survey to detect chronic Q fever, so that patients can quickly receive the right treatment. On April 19 and 23, you can have your blood taken at various general practices in Helmond so that it can be tested.
Since the Q fever epidemic (2007 to 2010), between 50,000 and 100,000 people have been infected with Q fever. Thousands of people became ill and many still have serious health problems to this day. They have chronic Q fever or the ‘Q fever fatigue syndrome’ (QVS). Chronic Q fever is not always recognized as such. That is why general practices in Helmond are currently inviting people with certain risk factors for developing chronic Q fever for the Q-screen. The Q-screen is a regional population survey to detect chronic Q fever. With the aim of being able to give people the right treatment quickly.
Chronic Q fever
Less than two percent of people who have ever been infected have chronic Q fever. But the living Q fever bacteria are still present in their bodies. And this can cause life-threatening inflammation of vessels and heart valves. Without this causing many complaints at first. In the Netherlands, at least 117 deaths have been caused by chronic Q fever since 2007. Early detection and long-term treatment with a combination of antibiotics can prevent death.
Q fever fatigue syndrome (QVS)
About twenty percent of people who become ill with Q fever have long-term complaints of severe chronic fatigue. This fatigue is accompanied by a range of other complaints. Such as memory problems, loss of concentration, sleep problems, stomach and
intestinal complaints, muscle and joint pain and headache. With QVS, the Q fever bacteria are no longer present in the body. The cause of the long-term complaints is unknown and there is no treatment yet.
Q-screen
To detect people with as yet unrecognized chronic Q fever, general practices within a radius of five kilometers around goat farms that were seriously infected during the Q fever epidemic can participate in the Q-screen. They select patients with conditions that pose a higher risk of developing chronic Q fever. These people receive an invitation to have their blood tested by Innatoss Laboratories from Oss. To this end, this company sets up temporary test stations at participating practices. If an infection is suspected, patients are referred to a Q fever specialist in the hospital.
Research in Helmond
In Helmond, the following general practices participate: ‘t Heelhuis, Dierdonk, Hoeben, De Eeeuwsels Huisartsen, Boszicht, Leonardus, De Traverse and Verbraeken. General practice Bakel is also participating. Previously, around 1,500 people have been invited to have their blood tested. But since many of them still did not respond to the call, they are finished 19 and 23 April there are still options to have your blood taken. The Q-screen is carried out on behalf of the RIVM by Q-support, an organization that supports and advises Q fever patients.
Knowing more? View on www.q-support.nu/qscreen.
Also read: ‘Helmond reimburses a permanent exercise program for Q fever‘
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2024-04-12 09:29:10
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