Brucellosis

Infectious diseases are widely spread, such as brucellosis, which is a serious disease that could lead to severe complications if not managed rapidly.

Brucellosis

Brucellosis is an infectious disease that occurs due to brucella bacteria, which transmits through contact with ill animals or their contaminated products.

The animals that are most infected with brucellosis are cattle, dogs, cats, goats, and pigs.

Causes of brucellosis

Brucellosis occurs as a result of brucella bacteria that transmits to human beings through the nose, eyes, and mouth, in addition to the cuts in the skin by:

• Eating undercooked meat.
• Drinking unpasteurized milk or eating its products.
• Breathing contaminated air.
• Touching the bodily fluids of ill animals.
• From the pregnant woman to her fetus and through breastfeeding as well.
• Through sexual connection.

The infection risk increases in people who work with animals, such as farmers, hunters, slaughterhouse workers, veterinarians, and laboratory workers.

Symptoms of brucellosis

The symptoms might take 2-4 weeks to appear, and sometimes more, and they also might come and go for a long time. They include:

• Fever and chills.
• Weakness and tiredness.
• Headache.
• Sweating.
• Pain in the muscles, joints, and back.
• Loss of appetite.
• Stomach pain.
• Enlarged and painful lymph nodes.

Complications of brucellosis

• Arthritis.
• Endocarditis.
• Inflammations and infection in the liver and spleen.
• Inflammation and infections in the testicles.
• Central nervous system infections.

Diagnosis of brucellosis

• Blood tests.
• Imaging tests.
• Testing the body fluids or a bone marrow biopsy in some cases.

Treatment of brucellosis

• Specific antibiotics.
• You must pay attention to the fact that the symptoms might last for months even with treatment.