BRUCELLOSIS

OVERVIEW

Brucellosis also called Mediterranean fever is a bacterial infection that is transmitted from animals to people. People get this infection by eating raw or unpasteurized dairy products. Brucellosis is caused by brucella strains that can infect humans through wounds in the skin, and mucous membranes, by eating and inhalation. The bacteria can survive inside human cells and spread to many different organs e.g. the reproductive organ.

CAUSES

This infection, Brucellosis affects many domestic and wild animals including dogs, camels, sheep, goats, cattle, etc. Brucellosis spread from animals to people by:

·        INHALING CONTAMINATED AIR: this infection spreads easily in the air and people who are farmers, hunters, and slaughterhouse workers can easily inhale the bacteria.

·        EATING RAW DAIRY PRODUCTS: The milk of an infected animal can spread to humans if unpasteurized. It can also be transmitted through the undercooked meat of an infected animal.

·        TOUCHING BLOOD AND BODY FLUIDS OF INFECTED ANIMAL: brucellosis rarely spread through sexual intercourse or blood transfusion. However, bacteria in the blood, placenta, and semen of an infected animal can enter the bloodstream through cuts or wounds.

SYMPTOMS

The brucellosis symptoms appear within five to 30 days after coming in contact with the infection. The general symptoms of brucellosis are similar to the flu. They may include;

Cough

Headache

Back pain

Fever

Night sweats

Poor appetite or weight loss

Weakness

 

DIAGNOSIS

The physician will examine you if you have a rash, unexplained fever, or swollen lymph nodes, and blood tests will be carried out to know the type of brucellosis that is causing the sickness.

TREATMENT

Brucellosis can be treated with antibiotics. Your physician will prescribe antibiotics commonly used to treat brucellosis including:

Streptomycin

Rifampin

Tetracycline

Ciprofloxacin or ofloxacin

Some physicians will generally give you the combination of doxycycline and rifampin for 6-8 weeks.

Patients who receive treatment earlier can be cured of the disease.