General practitioners in Helmond are currently inviting patients at risk for Q fever for a screening, the so-called ‘Q-screen’. This concerns people with certain risk factors for developing chronic Q fever. The ‘Q-screen’ is a regional population survey to detect chronic Q fever. This way people can receive the right treatment as quickly as possible.
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 as a result. And many still have serious health problems as a result to this day. These people have chronic Q fever or Q fever fatigue syndrome (QVS). Chronic Q fever is not always recognized as such. General practices in the Helmond region are currently inviting people with certain risk factors for developing chronic Q fever to undergo the Q-screen. This is a regional population survey to detect chronic Q fever. The aim is to ensure that people receive the right treatment quickly.
Chronic Q fever
Less than 2% of people who have ever been infected have chronic Q fever. The living Q fever bacteria are still present in their bodies. This can cause life-threatening inflammation of vessels and heart valves. Without causing many complaints at first. Since 2007, at least 117 deaths have been reported in our country as a result of chronic Q fever. Early detection and long-term treatment with a combination of antibiotics can prevent death.
Q fever fatigue syndrome (QVS)
About 20% of people who become ill with Q fever have long-term complaints of severe chronic fatigue. The 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 headaches. With QVS, the Q fever bacteria are no longer in the body. The cause of the long-term complaints is unknown. Moreover, there is no treatment for it yet.
Q-screen
To detect people with as yet unrecognized chronic Q fever, general practices within a radius of 5 kilometers around goat farms – which 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. 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
Several general practices in the Helmond region are currently participating. These are Bakel, ‘t Heelhuis, Dierdonk, Hoeben, De Eeeuwsels Huisartsen, Boszicht, Leonardus, De Traverse and Verbraeken. Together they invite around 1,500 people to have their blood tested. This happens on various days in March and April. The Q-screen is carried out by Q-support on behalf of the RIVM. That’s an organization that
Q fever patients supports and advises.
Do you want to know more? View on www.q-support.nu/qscreen.
Also read: ‘Helmond reimburses the permanent Q fever programme‘
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2024-03-05 11:15:02
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