Psittacosis
Psittacosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydophila psittaci, primarily transmitted from certain birds such as parrots, macaws, and pigeons. Infection occurs when individuals inhale dried secretions or droppings from infected birds, with symptoms typically appearing one to four weeks after exposure. Common symptoms include fever, chills, dry cough, headache, muscle aches, and, in severe cases, pneumonia. While some birds display symptoms like feather loss and nasal discharge, others may appear healthy yet still pose a risk of transmission to humans.
Occupational exposure, such as working with birds or owning pet birds, increases the risk of contracting psittacosis. Diagnosis generally involves a medical history review, physical examination, and specific tests, including blood tests and chest X-rays. Treatment primarily consists of antibiotics, which should be taken for 10 to 14 days after fever resolution, with severe cases potentially requiring hospitalization. Preventive measures include avoiding contact with sick birds, maintaining hygiene in bird care, and seeking veterinary attention for symptomatic pets. Understanding psittacosis is vital for those interacting with birds to mitigate health risks effectively.
Psittacosis
- ANATOMY OR SYSTEM AFFECTED: All
- ALSO KNOWN AS: Ornithosis, parrot fever
Definition
Psittacosis is an infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydophila psittaci. This infection causes fever, chills, dry coughing, headache, muscle aches, and sometimes pneumonia.
Causes
Humans get psittacosis from certain birds, including parrots, macaws, cockatiels, parakeets, turkeys, and pigeons. Some infected birds have symptoms such as the loss of feathers, a runny nose or runny eyes, changed eating habits, and diarrhea. Other birds appear well but can still spread the infection to humans. People usually become infected from breathing in dust from the dried droppings or the secretions of birds that are sick. The infection can also spread when a person touches his or her mouth to the beak of an infected bird. Even brief exposure to sick birds can lead to psittacosis. The infection rarely spreads from one person to another.
Risk Factors
Risk factors for psittacosis include owning a pet bird and working in occupations with exposure to birds, including as a veterinarian and as a worker in a zoo, laboratory, or poultry plant, or on a farm.
Symptoms
The symptoms of psittacosis begin one to four weeks after exposure to a sick bird. Symptoms include cough, chest pain, fever, chills, rash, headache, muscle aches, and pneumonia with severe breathing problems. Most people report developing symptoms between five to fourteen days following exposure.
Screening and Diagnosis
A doctor will ask about symptoms and medical history and will perform a physical exam. Tests may include blood tests to check for the bacterium that causes psittacosis and a chest X-ray to look for signs of pneumonia.
Treatment and Therapy
The main treatment for psittacosis is antibiotics, which one should continue taking for ten to fourteen days after the fever disappears. Persons with severe breathing problems may need to be hospitalized for oxygen and for intravenous antibiotics.
Prevention and Outcomes
Preventive measures include avoiding birds that appear to be sick; keeping one’s mouth away from a bird’s beak; buying pet birds from a dealer with an exotic bird permit; keeping bird cages apart; keeping new birds away from other birds for four to six weeks; and cleaning bird cages, food bowls, and water bowls every day and disinfecting them once a week with bleach or rubbing alcohol. One should take a sick or sick-appearing pet bird to a veterinarian promptly.
Bibliography
"About Psittacosis." Centers for Disease Control, 31 Jan. 2024, www.cdc.gov/psittacosis/about/index.html. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
Schlossberg, D. “ Chlamydia psittaci (Psittacosis).” In Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett’s Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases, edited by Gerald L. Mandell, John F. Bennett, and Raphael Dolin. 7th ed. New York: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier, 2010.