Psittacosis. A flu like syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Psittacosis is a relatively common cause of community acquired pneumonia in adults in Australia. Although the illness is usually mild to moderate in severity, it can, be life threatening. It should be considered as a possible cause of any flu like illness.

OBJECTIVE: This article aims to describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic investigation and outpatient management of psittacosis.

DISCUSSION: The key to the management of psittacosis is considering the diagnosis. If a history is obtained of contact with birds, a careful search for respiratory symptoms, signs or chest X-ray changes should take place. If the clinical likelihood is high, empirical therapy with doxycycline should be started. Acute and convalescent serology should then be taken to help establish the diagnosis.