Psittacosis | Chlamydia psittaci bacteria | Parrot Fever | Ornithosis

Psittacosis is a general disease which you get from birds that are infected with Chlamydia psittaci bacteria. This disease infects your lungs, and it causes symptoms like fever, cough and muscle pain. Sometimes, this disease causes serious lung infections or it can spread to other parts of your body. Most cases of people with psittacosis can be cured with antibiotics. 

In humans,  Psittacosis causes symptoms of respiratory problems, like fever and cough. Birds can get symptoms like diarrhea, a runny nose or eyes, and other symptoms. Birds can also have the bacteria without showing any symptoms.

Other names of Psittacosis are “ornithosis” or “parrot fever” (you can get it from any types of birds, not only from parrots).

Symptoms of psittacosis

Generally, symptoms of psittacosis in humans will be mild or severe which includes:

• Fever.

• Cough.

• Muscle pain.

• Headaches and body aches.

• Nausea or vomiting.

• Diarrhea.

• Rash (less common).

Causes psittacosis

The cause of psittacosis is Chlamydia psittaci bacteria. Usually, the Chlamydia psittaci bacteria come from infected bird's poop and respiratory fluids. When these fluids dries, then it releases the bacteria into the air as dust.  Usually, it spreads the bacteria between birds through the contaminated dust or direct contact.

What kind of birds get psittacosis?

All kinds of birds will get the disease and spread the psittacosis which includes:

• Birds which are kept as pets, such as parrots, parakeets, cockatiels and cockatoos.

• And Farm birds or fowl such as chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys.

• Some other wild type birds like pigeons and gulls.

How do you get psittacosis?

You can get psittacosis by having close contact with infected birds and if you breathe in dust that is contaminated with their poop or respiratory fluids. But less common, birds can infect you by biting you or if you touch their beak to your mouth. But it is very rare to get psittacosis from an infected human.

Risk factors for psittacosis

You are at high risk of getting parrot fever if you have work or hobbies which put you in close contact with birds or fowl. It includes people who are having pet birds or who work:

• Work in a poultry farm or in the processing of poultry.

• veterinary officers who treat birds.

• Pet shop that sells birds.

Complications of psittacosis

Psittacosis bacteria will cause severe lung infections or spread to other parts of the body.

Complications are:

• Pneumonia.

• Myocarditis.

• Endocarditis.

• Encephalitis.

• Hepatitis called liver inflammation

• ARDS - Acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Diagnosis

It is very hard to diagnose Psittacosis from the sample of body fluids. Because it takes a long time to grow the bacteria and it confirms a diagnosis. Because of this late procedure, experts usually diagnose you based on your symptoms and previous history of exposure to birds. And they also take the samples to send to a laboratory to look for signs of bacteria present. Samples are:

• Sputum or mucus which is coughed up from your lungs.

• Blood.

• Swabbing of Mucus from your nose or throat.

Your healthcare professionals may suggest some other tests like chest X-rays, which depend on your symptoms.

Treatment

Your provider will prescribe a tetracycline antibiotic such as doxycycline which treats psittacosis. And Quinolone antibiotics such as levofloxacin and moxifloxacin and macrolides like azithromycin are some other very effective medications. Usually, fever will go away within 4 days. But your provider may prescribe more medicines for severe pneumonia or some other serious complications

This disease is very rare in children but it gives special challenges in its treatment. But quinolone medications are not for childrens. Your provider suggests azithromycin if your children are less than 8 years of age. For older children, they give doxycycline. Almost all children will recover from this disease.

If you are very sick, your provider may treat you in hospital. Respiratory failure people may need intensive care and mechanical ventilation facilities. And some other complications of the nervous system like meningitis are very challenging to treat. Medications that are very effective against psittacosis won’t reach the brain.

Is there a cure for psittacosis?

Yes, medications like antibiotics can cure parrot fever. Antibiotics that are prescribed by healthcare professionals to treat it by doxycycline or tetracycline. If these medications don’t work or not an option, alternative medications are:

• Erythromycin.

• Azithromycin.

• Chloramphenicol.

• Rifampin.

Prevention

If you are around birds, you can reduce the risk of getting psittacosis by following safe handling of birds and cleaning habits which includes:

• After handling birds or cleaning them, you must wash your hands with soap and water.

• You should buy pet birds only from reputable sources.

• You should isolate the infected birds from other birds. See a veterinarian to treat them and get guidance on when it is safe for joining with other birds again.

• Don't put too many birds in a single cage or enclosure..

• You should clean the cages and change their foods and water bowls daily. 

• Before cleaning the cages, you should wet the surfaces to avoid releasing dust into the air.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How do you get psittacosis?

Ans: The most common way someone gets infected is by breathing in the dust from these dried secretions.

Q2. Is there a cure for psittacosis?

Ans: Most people treated properly for psittacosis make a full recovery.

Q3. What kills psittacosis?

Ans: Oral tetracycline or doxycycline is generally prescribed for adults, and erythromycin for children and pregnant women.

Q4. What is the danger of psittacosis?

Ans: Psittacosis can cause mild illness or pneumonia (lung infection).

Q5. Is psittacosis serious in humans?

Ans: If left untreated, the disease can be severe, and even result in death, especially in older people.