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What
is Psittacosis?
Psittacosis
is an illness characterized by fever, chills, headache,
photophobia (the avoidance of light), cough, and muscle
aches. It is caused by an infection with a bacteria known
as Chlamydia psittaci.
Who
gets psittacosis?
Anyone
can get psittacosis if they are infected with the C.
psittaci bacteria, and the most common source of these
bacteria are infected birds. Pet birds of the psittacine
family (specifically parakeets, parrots and love birds)
are the most common birds to be infected, but other birds
such as poultry, pigeons, canaries and sea birds may also
be infected. Birds who are infected may appear healthy or
sick.
How
is psittacosis spread?
Humans
become infected with psittacosis when they inhale C.
psittaci bacteria that are present in dried bird droppings,
feather dust or other secretions of infected birds. Person-to-person
spread of psittacosis is very unlikely.
What
are the symptoms of psittacosis?
The
symptoms include fever, chills, headache, rash, photophobia,
muscle aches and either upper or lower respiratory tract
disease. Pneumonia is common with psittacosis.
How
soon after exposure do symptoms appear?
This
can range from one to four weeks.
How
is psittacosis diagnosed?
The
laboratory criteria for diagnosis include:
- Isolation
of Chlamydia psittaci bacteria from respiratory
secretions, or
- An
increase in the blood of antibodies that are specific
for C. psittaci
- Presence
in the blood of specific antibodies that would indicate
that the person was recently infected with C. psittaci
A
case of psittacosis is probable when there is a
clinically compatible case that is epidemiologically linked
to a confirmed case or if the person has an increase
in the blood of antibodies that are specific for C.
psittaci.
A
case of psittacosis is confirmed when a clinically
compatible case is also laboratory confirmed.
What
is the treatment for psittacosis?
Doctors
can prescribe antibiotics for psittacosis.
How
can psittacosis be prevented?
To
prevent psittacosis in humans, it is necessary to prevent
the exposure of humans to infected birds. Parakeets, parrots
and love birds (as well as any other pet) should only be
purchased from reputable sources. People who work with poultry
or other birds should inform their health care provider
of their occupation in the event that they develop a respiratory
illness.
Where
can I get more information?
- Your
personal doctor or veterinarian.
- Your
local health department, listed in your telephone directory.
- The
Utah Department of Health, Bureau of Epidemiology (801)
538-6191.
UTAH
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
BUREAU OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
August 2001
Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention. Case definitions for
infectious conditions under public health surveillance.
MMWR 1997; 46 (No. RR-10):27.
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