Brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by the Brucella bacteria. This disease primarily affects animals, and humans can contract it by coming into contact with sick animals or animal products contaminated with the germs. The brucellosis vaccine that is available for animals can keep animals protected, however, there is no vaccine that stops humans from contracting brucellosis. The usual treatment for humans is antibiotics, but the treatment time is long and painful. Let’s check out the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for this disease and how you can avoid it.
Brucellosis is a bacterial illness that is transmitted from animals to humans, and most cases of Brucellosis happen when people consume raw or unpasteurized dairy products. However, the germs that cause brucellosis can spread through the air, or a person can contract it by coming into close contact with affected animals as well.
Brucella, the bacteria that causes brucellosis, enters your body via your mouth, nose, eyes, or a breach in your skin, and then spreads to your lymph nodes or tissues, where it gradually multiplies. It can spread to practically any region of your body, including your heart, liver, brain, and bones, and cause swelling and damage!
Brucellosis symptoms in humans include fever, joint soreness, and weariness, but antibiotics are typically effective for treating the illness. Remember, therapy can take weeks or months, and there is a chance that the illness may reoccur! Brucellosis is present in the majority of nations throughout the world, and people who work with animals, veterinarians, and slaughterhouse workers are often infected.
Brucellosis symptoms can appear anywhere from a few days to a few months after infection, and the common symptoms are comparable to those of the flu.
Common brucellosis symptoms include:
Brucellosis symptoms may fade for a few weeks or months before reappearing. What’s more, some patients develop persistent brucellosis, which causes symptoms for years even after proper treatment.
Long-term signs and symptoms of brucellosis include:
As mentioned above, brucellosis spreads by contact with diseased animals or unpasteurized dairy products. This means people who consume raw milk, cheese, or other milk products that have not been pasteurized are at high risk of contracting the disease! Pasteurization, on the other hand, eliminates the germs from the milk. Consuming undercooked meat is also a risk factor!
Touching diseased tissue or an animal's bodily secretions will also get you infected since the Brucella bacteria can enter your body through skin cracks or via the eyes, nose, or mouth. Brucella bacteria can be inhaled from the air, most commonly from diseased animals' exposed tissues or bloodstream! This is a risk if you work on the Brucella bacteria in a lab or work on a farm or meat packing facility.
While person-to-person transmission is extremely improbable to cause brucellosis, there have been isolated reports of Brucella transmission that happened this way. Other ways the disease can spread is through a pregnant woman to the growing fetus, through nursing, and sex.
Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and order blood tests and other tests to diagnose the disease. Brucellosis symptoms often mimic the symptoms of other diseases, and that’s why these tests are required to reach a diagnosis! The best technique to confirm a Brucella infection is to culture the bacterium from bodily fluid or tissue. However, brucella grows slowly, so your diagnosis may take a few weeks, which also means you may need to do many blood tests over the course of a few weeks.
Here are the tests that are used to diagnose this disease:
Usually, your doctor will treat brucellosis with at least two different antibiotics, and you will have to take them for at least six to eight weeks. Depending on your condition, you may require further treatments, such as draining contaminated areas or treating other health complications.
These are the medications used to treat brucellosis:
Brucellosis can damage practically every organ of your body, including the reproductive system, liver, heart, and central nervous system. What’s more, chronic brucellosis can cause serious harm in a single organ or across the body.
Potential compilation from brucellosis include:
Brucellosis transfers from animals to humans and is normally not dangerous. However, it might infect your bones and organs, so if you work with animals or have consumed raw dairy products, you must pay special attention to any symptoms, and get diagnosed quickly to start treatment. Brucellosis is a rare infection that develops slowly and can persist for a long period of time. It might cause symptoms that are similar to the symptoms of other diseases, and that’s why it's critical to see a doctor to be properly evaluated and treated.
Discover precision diagnostics with Pathkind Labs, a trusted name in diagnostic services in India. Our NABL accredited labs, equipped with advanced technology, are staffed by a certified team of over 200+ senior pathologists and 2000+ technicians. From tailored health check-ups to specialized tests in Oncology, Neurology, Gynaecology, Nephrology, and more, we've got your health covered. Skip the hassle with online booking for tests or check-ups, available for both lab visits and at-home blood collection. For a seamless experience and early detection, choose Pathkind Labs in Gurugram. Book your appointment today and experience diagnostics made easy.
© 2025 Pathkind Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd. All Rights Reserved | Unsubscribe
Upload Prescription
