What is Q fever and how is it contracted?

Q fever is a bacterial infection that can be caught from infected farm animals such as sheep, cattle, and goats, often through close contact with them or their bodily fluids and fur.

What were Sally Crowe's symptoms after contracting Q fever?

Sally Crowe initially experienced symptoms resembling a severe hangover, which progressed to severe fatigue, leaving her bedbound for almost two years.

How was Sally Crowe's Q fever treated?

Sally Crowe underwent a specialized year-long treatment plan involving antibiotics and anti-malarial medication, pursued with a specialist in South Africa from 2016.

Home / Health / Farmer's 'Worst Hangover' Led to Life-Changing Illness

Farmer's 'Worst Hangover' Led to Life-Changing Illness

7 Feb

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Summary

A farmer contracted a rare disease from farm animals after a holiday.
The illness, Q fever, led to nearly two years of being bedbound.
A specialized treatment plan in 2016 ultimately helped manage her condition.

Farmer's 'Worst Hangover' Led to Life-Changing Illness

Sally Crowe, a farmer from Caithness, experienced a life-altering illness after contracting Q fever during a visit to Western Australia in 2012. Initially mistaken for severe fatigue, the rare airborne disease, contracted from farm animals, left her bedbound for nearly two years and impacted her health for over a decade.

Medical professionals were initially stumped by her symptoms, with a diagnosis of ME being considered before Q fever was identified. Due to limited treatment options in Scotland, Sally pursued a specialized year-long course of medication with a specialist in South Africa, starting in 2016. This rigorous treatment eventually proved life-changing.

Despite the profound challenges, Crowe has since embraced a new perspective, prioritizing life and family over relentless work. She welcomed her son William in 2019 and now balances her responsibilities on the 65-acre croft with quality time spent with him, adjusting her workload to accommodate her ongoing health needs.