Brucellosis

What is brucellosis?

Brucellosis is a bacterial disease that can affect any organs of the body. Brucellosis is not very common in the United States with 100-200 cases reported every year.

Who gets brucellosis?

Everyone is susceptible to the bacteria and may get the disease if exposed. It is more likely to be found in people associated with the cleaning and butchering of deer and livestock or the consumption of unpasteurized dairy products.

How is brucellosis spread?

The bacteria that cause this disease are found in unpasteurized milk from diseased cows and also from discharges from cattle or goats that abort their fetus. It is unlikely that this disease would be spread from person to person. However, infected mothers could transmit the infection to their infants through breast milk.

What are the symptoms of brucellosis?

Symptoms of brucellosis include intermittent or irregular fever of variable duration, headache, weakness, profuse sweating, chills, weight loss and generalized aching. Brucellosis can also cause long-lasting or chronic symptoms such as recurrent fevers, joint pain and fatigue.

How soon do symptoms appear?

The time period is highly variable, but symptoms usually appear within five to 30 days.

Does past infection with brucellosis make a person immune?

It is unlikely that an individual will be reinfected. However, if not properly treated, the disease may last for up to a year.

What is the treatment for brucellosis?

Tetracycline or tetracycline plus streptomycin is the treatment of choice. Rifampin and doxycycline may cause fewer intestinal side-effects. Early diagnosis leading to prompt treatment is essential to prevent chronic infection.


http://www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/communicable/brucellosis/fact_sheet.htm