What is Brucellosis?

Brucellosis is a disease caused by the brucella bacteria. You can get brucellosis from drinking unpasteurized milk, eating unpasteurized dairy products, or touching infected animals. Symptoms may come and go over a long period of time and may include fever, joint pain and sweating.

What are the symptoms of brucellosis?

Symptoms of brucellosis are similar to the flu but include: Fever (the most common symptom is high and profuse sweating that usually occurs in the afternoon) Back pain Body-wide aches and pains Headache Night sweats (followed by fever) Malaise Abdominal pain Cough Loss of appetite and weight loss Sweating (sometimes with a musty odor) Joint pain, especially in the hip, knee, or lower back Depression Large, painful lymph nodes Feeling unwell in general

What Animals Can Transmit Brucellosis?

Cattle Sheep Dogs Camels Goats Pigs

How is Brucellosis Transmitted from Animals?

The most common ways bacteria are transmitted from animals to humans are: Consuming raw dairy products. Brucella bacteria in the milk of infected animals can be transmitted to humans in unpasteurized milk, ice cream, butter and cheese. The bacteria can also be transmitted in raw or undercooked meat from infected animals. Brucellosis cannot be transmitted from Tulum cheese. Brucella bacteria spread easily in the air. Farmers, hunters, laboratory technicians and slaughterhouse workers can inhale the bacteria. Bacteria found in the blood and body fluids of an infected animal can be transmitted by entering the bloodstream through a wound. People rarely catch brucellosis from their pets, since normal contact with animals does not cause infection. Still, people with compromised immune systems should avoid handling dogs known to have the disease.

What are the health problems that may be caused by brucellosis?

Brucellosis can affect almost any part of your body, including your reproductive system, liver, heart, and central nervous system. Chronic brucellosis can cause problems in just one organ or throughout your body. The biggest problem that may occur is: Endocarditis. Untreated endocarditis can damage or destroy heart valves and is the leading cause of death due to brucellosis.

How is Brucellosis Treated?

When it is determined that you have brucellosis, antibiotic treatment will be started. This long-term antibiotic treatment may last weeks or even months. Brucellosis is a disease that can recur if treatment is incomplete. It is important to comply with the prescribed antibiotic treatment.