What is Brucellosis?

Brucellosis is a disease inherited from the brucella bacteria. You can get brucellosis from drinking unpasteurized milk, eating unpasteurized dairy products, or touching infected animals. Symptoms may come and go for a long 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 (most common symptom, high and profuse sweating that usually occurs in the afternoon) Backache Aches and pains throughout the body Headache Night sweats (followed by fever) Fatigue Abdominal pain Cough Anorexia and weight loss Sweating (sometimes with a musty odor) Joint pain, especially in the hips, knees, or lower back Depression Large, painful lymph nodes Generally feeling unwell

What Animals Can Transmit Brucellosis?

Cattle Sheep Dogs Camels Goats Pigs

How is Brucellosis Transmitted from Animals?

The most common ways bacteria can be 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. Bacteria can also be transmitted in raw or undercooked meat of 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 bodily fluids of an infected animal can enter the bloodstream through a wound and be transmitted. People rarely get brucellosis from their pets, as normal contact with animals does not cause infection. Still, people with compromised immune systems should avoid touching dogs known to have the disease.

What are the Health Problems 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 your entire body. The biggest problem that can occur is: Endocarditis. Untreated endocarditis can damage or destroy heart valves and is the leading cause of death from brucellosis.

How Is Brucellosis Treated?

When it is determined that you have brucellosis, antibiotic treatment will be started. This antibiotic treatment, which will last for a long time, can take weeks or even months. Brucellosis is a recurrent disease for which treatment is incomplete. It is important to comply with the prescribed antibiotic therapy.