Overview

A bacterial infection known as brucellosis is transmitted from animals to humans. Brucellosis is a bacterial infection that primarily affects livestock and can be transmitted to humans through contact with contaminated animals or their products.

Eating raw or unpasteurised dairy products is the most prevalent way to get sick. The brucellosis-causing germs can occasionally be transferred by direct contact with infected animals or through the air. Symptoms include fever, joint pain, and fatigue. Timely diagnosis and antibiotic treatment are crucial for managing this zoonotic disease and preventing its spread. Antibiotics typically work well to treat infections. But the illness might return, and treatment takes a few weeks to months.

Brucellosis is a disease that affects hundreds of thousands of people and animals worldwide. Brucellosis can be avoided by avoiding raw dairy products and using caution when handling animals.

Brucellosis

Causes of Brucellosis

Brucella bacteria, such as B. abortus, B. canis, B. meliensis, and B. suis, cause brucellosis. Animals that are carriers of Brucella include:

Bovines.
Goats.
Pigs.
Deer
Moose.
Elk.
Cattle. Canines.
Camels.

Contact with diseased animals or raw dairy products can spread brucellosis. It can be contracted through

Consuming raw or unpasteurised milk and unpasteurised cheese, ice cream, and other milk products. Milk that has been tainted is produced by infected animals. Even if sheep, goats, cows, or camels have brucellosis, one can still safely drink their milk because pasteurisation destroys the bacterium.

Contacting an animal's diseased body fluids or tissue. Brucella can enter one's body through the mouth, nose, eyes, or skin breaches.

Breathing in the Brucella. Brucella particles can enter one's lungs through the air, typically released by exposed animal tissues or blood. If one works in a lab, dress game, farm, abattoir, or meat processing industry, one runs the risk of contracting Brucella.

Symptoms of Brucellosis

The general signs of brucellosis are frequently nonspecific and mistaken for the flu. They might consist of:

The most prevalent symptom is a fever with strong "spikes" that typically happen in the afternoon
Backache
Hurts all across the body
Reduced appetite and loss of weight
A headache
sweats at night
Weakness
Pain in the abdomen
Cough.

Symptoms typically start to show within five to thirty days of coming into contact with the bacteria. The type of Brucella infection you have determines how severe your symptoms are

B.abortus. Small to moderate symptoms are typically caused by B. abortus, but they have a higher tendency to develop into chronic (long-lasting).
B.canis. The symptoms of B. canis could come and go. Although patients with B. canis frequently experience vomiting and diarrhoea, they are comparable to B. abortus infections.
B.suis. Different organs may experience abscesses or infected areas as a result of B.suis.
B.melitensis. One may become disabled due to B. melitensis's abrupt and severe symptoms.

Treatment Options of Brucellosis

At least two different kinds of antibiotics will be used in combination by healthcare providers to treat brucellosis. These must be taken for a minimum of six to eight weeks. Depending on the situation, one might require additional therapy (such as draining infected areas).

Medical professionals prescribe the following antibiotics to treat brucellosis

Gentamicin, or streptomycin.
Rifampino.
Doxycycline.
Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) combination.
Ciprofloxacin

Some brucellosis symptoms, such as fever and joint discomfort, may be treated at home in addition to taking prescribed antibiotics to eradicate the bacterium. Find out from your doctor if any safe over-the-counter (OTC) drugs or alternative therapies can help with the symptoms.

Prevention from Brucellosis

Safe Interaction with Animals. When working with animals, for example, you should wear protective equipment and practise safe food handling to lower the chance of contracting brucellosis.

Avoid consuming unpasteurised foods and beverages. When handling animals or animal tissues, wear the proper protective equipment. This could consist of goggles, an apron, or gloves. Those who work in slaughterhouses or medical laboratories, as well as hunters, farmers, veterinarians, and butchers, should exercise extra caution.

Consuming unCooked Meat. Cook meat to safe temperatures, and remember to constantly wash your hands and the dishes and equipment used in the meal preparation process. Meat from game animals may have Brucella infections.

When to Consult a Doctor

You can also get in touch with the expert doctors at Narayana Healthcare based in your city to get immediate attention and medical support during injuries, health disorders or any other health concern.

Conclusion

Brucellosis is an uncommon bacterial disease that develops gradually over a long period. Since it may resemble many other conditions, consulting a healthcare provider is essential to getting an accurate diagnosis and the right course of therapy. One should keep a close eye on symptoms since brucellosis can infect the bones and organs, even though most cases do not pose a serious risk to one's life.

Reference

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17886-brucellosis
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/brucellosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351738