HEALTH GUIDE INDEX / B / BRUCELLOSIS

BASIC INFORMATION

DESCRIPTION

A rare, bacterial infection transmitted to humans from infected cows, pigs, sheep or goats. It is not contagious from person to person. It affects the blood-producing organs, including bone marrow, lymph glands, liver and spleen. It is more common in men between ages 20 and 60. The incubation period can be from 5 to 60 days and may be several months. The disease has an acute form and a chronic form.

FREQUENT SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

In the acute form, the following symptoms appear suddenly:
  • Chills, intermittent fever, sweating.
  • Marked fatigue.
  • Tenderness along the spine.
  • Headache.
  • Enlarged lymph glands.
In the chronic form, the following symptoms appear gradually:
  • Fatigue.
  • Muscle pain.
  • Backache.
  • Constipation.
  • Weight loss.
  • Depression.
  • Sexual impotence.
  • Abscesses in the ovaries, kidney and brain (rare).

CAUSES

    Infection from the bacteria, Brucella, which is transmitted to humans through unpasteurized milk or milk products (butter, cheese) or meat products.

RISK INCREASES WITH

  • Pernicious anemia or previous stomach surgery. These conditions result in reduced stomach acid; stomach acid decreases the chance of infection.
  • Persons with occupations involving animals, such as farmers, butchers, veterinarians or ranchers.
  • Travel to some foreign countries.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

  • Don't drink unpasteurized milk from any source.
  • Use gloves, goggles, aprons and other protective measures when working around animals.
  • Immunization of livestock.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

    Usually curable in 3 to 4 weeks with treatment.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

  • Heart, bone, brain or liver infection (rare).
  • Chronic illness and disability from inadequate treatment and care.

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • A definite diagnosis is made from blood tests.
  • Treatment consists of a period of bed rest and antibiotic therapy.
  • It usually is not necessary to isolate the ill person.
  • All family members who may have been exposed to the same infected milk products should have medical checkups and diagnostic tests.
  • Additional information available from the Food Safety and Inspection Service, Office of Public Awareness, Dept. of Agriculture, Room 1165-S, Washington, DC 20205, (800) 535-4555.

MEDICATIONS

  • Antibiotics to fight infection, such as tetracycline, for a minimum of 3 weeks.
  • Cortisone drugs to reduce the inflammatory response in severe cases.
  • Pain relievers for muscle pain.

ACTIVITY

    Rest in bed until fever and other symptoms subside. Resume your normal activities gradually.

DIET

No special diet. Increase calories if weight loss has been significant.

NOTIFY YOUR PHYSICIAN IF

  • You or a family member has symptoms of brucellosis.
  • Fever or other symptoms recur after treatment.

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