Immunization is essentially universal among younger people in the U.S., but some refugees and immigrants may not be immunized. With some differences in regime, carriers are also treated. Psittacosis is Chlamydia psittaci infection contracted from infected birds. Complications include endocarditis, hepatitis, or neurologic complications. Except for contact with birds, psittacosis is indistinguishable from viral, mycoplasmic, or other atypical pneumonias.
Treatment is with tetracycline or erythromycin.
Other routes of infection include contact with milk and tissue from infected animals. Manifestations of acute Q fever include fever, fatigue, headache, cough, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, and myalgia. Pneumonia develops in a small number of patients. Other complications are hepatitis, pericarditis, myocarditis, and meningoencephalitis. Endocarditis is frequently associated with purpuric rash, renal insufficiency, stroke, and heart failure.