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Brucellosis is a bacterial infection that spreads from animals to people. It is a condition that can involve many different parts of the body. It often begins with flu-like symptoms such as fever, weakness, and joint pain. The fever tends to rise and fall over time, which helps clinicians recognize the pattern of illness.
read more about brucellosis ...This infection is caused by a group of bacteria called *Brucella*. People get the infection through contact with infected animals or their products. The most common way to get it is by eating or drinking unpasteurized (raw) milk, cheese, or ice cream. You can also get it from breathing in the bacteria, which is a risk for farmers, vets, and meat-plant workers.
The symptoms of brucellosis are often like the flu. They can include a fever that comes and goes, heavy sweats (especially at night), and feeling very tired and weak. You may also have headaches, muscle pain, and joint pain that can be severe. These symptoms can last for weeks or months if not treated.
A doctor will ask you about your symptoms and your job. They will also ask if you have traveled or have eaten any unpasteurized dairy products. To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor must do a blood test. The test will look for the *Brucella* bacteria in your blood or for the antibodies your body is making to fight it.
Brucellosis must be treated with antibiotics. The treatment is long, and you will likely need to take two or more different types of antibiotics. You will need to take the medicine for at least six to eight weeks. It is very important to take all of your medicine, even if you start to feel better, to stop the infection from coming back.
If the infection is not treated promptly, the bacteria can travel through the bloodstream to other areas of the body. Brucellosis can cause inflammation in the lining of the heart (endocarditis), which is a serious complication. It can also settle in the spine causing spondylitis, or affect the liver and spleen. Because the bacteria can hide in cells, these complications can sometimes appear long after the initial fever has gone away.
It is extremely rare. You cannot get it from someone by coughing, sneezing, or casual contact. It is almost always spread from animals to people.
Yes. With a full, long course of antibiotics, most people are cured. However, the infection can come back (relapse) if the treatment is not taken correctly, and it can sometimes become a long-term problem.
The best way to prevent it is to avoid all unpasteurized dairy products. Make sure your milk, cheese, and ice cream say "pasteurized" on the label. You should also cook all meat fully. If you work with animals, wear gloves and eye protection.
You should see a doctor if you have a fever that will not go away, or if you have severe joint pain and fatigue. It is very important to tell your doctor if you work with animals, like cattle or goats, or if you have recently eaten any raw milk or unpasteurized cheese.
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4. Brucellosis. NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441831/. July 24, 2023.
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