Do you sometimes have a fever, body aches, or sweating for no reason? Do these things go away after a few days and then come back? You might think this is a normal viral fever. But it can also be transmitted to us from animals, and it can also be a disease that is hidden in the body. Today we are talking about such a disease. That is Brucellosis. Although this is a bit of a strange name, it is very important to know about it.
What exactly is Brucellosis?
Simply put, brucellosis is a disease caused by a bacterium called `Brucella`. The specialty of this is that it is transmitted to us from animals . Therefore, we also call it a zoonotic disease. This disease is also called Malta fever and Mediterranean fever.
In this disease, symptoms such as fever, joint pain, and sweating may come and go, then return, and may last for months, or even years.
Who is at higher risk of developing this disease?
This disease is seen in many countries around the world. If you are one of the following, you are at slightly higher risk of developing this disease.
- A veterinarian or someone who works with animals.
- If you work on a dairy farm or ranch.
- If you work in a butcher shop, slaughterhouse, or handle raw meat.
- If someone hunts animals.
- If you work in a lab that conducts tests on the `Brucella` bacteria.
- If you eat undercooked meat or consume unpasteurized milk and dairy products (e.g. cheese, yogurt).
Although this disease is not commonly reported in Sri Lanka, about 500,000 cases are reported worldwide each year. Therefore, it is very important for those in risk groups to be aware of this.
What are the symptoms of this disease?
Symptoms of Brucella infection take two to four weeks or longer to appear. Imagine how frustrating it would be to have these symptoms come and go for months. So, be aware of these symptoms.
| Symptom | More information |
|---|---|
| Fever | The fever may increase or decrease from day to day. |
| Sweating | Sometimes sweat can have a moldy smell. |
| Joint pain | Pain, especially in the hips, knees, or lower back. |
| Weight loss | Weight loss for no reason. |
| Headache | Frequent headaches. |
| Other features | Stomach ache, loss of appetite, depression, swollen and painful lymph nodes, and a feeling of weakness. |
How does this brucellosis spread to us?
There are several types of Brucella bacteria that cause this disease. This bacteria mainly lives in the bodies of animals. For example:
- Cow
- Goats
- Pigs
- Deer
- Sheep
- Dogs
- Camels
There are several main ways in which we can contract the disease from these animals.
| Method of transmission | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Consuming unpasteurized milk | By drinking raw milk from an infected animal or eating cheese, ice cream, etc. made from that milk. Pasteurization is the process of heating milk to kill germs. Milk that has been pasteurized is safe to drink. |
| Contact with body parts or fluids of an infected animal | Bacteria can enter your body through a cut or wound on your skin, or through your eyes, nose, or mouth. |
| Inhalation of bacteria | By breathing in airborne bacterial particles from infected animal meat or blood. People who work on farms and in slaughterhouses are at higher risk. |
| Undercooked meat dishes | By eating undercooked meat from an infected animal. |
Importantly, it is very rare for this disease to be transmitted from person to person . However, there have been very rare cases of transmission from a pregnant mother to her child, through breastfeeding or through sexual intercourse. However, this is not considered a sexually transmitted disease (STI).
How does a doctor diagnose this disease?
When you go to see a doctor, he or she will ask about your symptoms, whether you work with animals, or have you drunk raw milk. Because the symptoms of brucellosis are similar to other diseases, several tests are needed to confirm the diagnosis.
- Blood tests: A sample of your blood is taken to check for antibodies against the Brucella bacteria. The blood sample can also be cultured in a lab to see if the bacteria are present. However, because the bacteria grow so slowly, it can take weeks to get a result.
- Testing other body fluids: Testing things like spinal fluid and joint fluid can also look for the bacteria.
- Tissue biopsy: A small piece of tissue is taken from an area such as the bone marrow and examined.
- Imaging tests: Depending on your symptoms, tests such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs may be performed to check for damage to organs such as bones, liver, and heart.
What are the treatments for this?
The good news is that brucellosis can be completely cured with antibiotics . But there is a slight difference.
You will be given two types of antibiotics together for a long period of time, at least 6-8 weeks . Because this bacteria hides inside the body's cells, long-term treatment is needed to completely destroy it.
Antibiotics your doctor may prescribe may include:
- ` Doxycycline ( Doxycycline ( Doxycycline) ) `
- `Rifampin`
- `Streptomycin` or `Gentamicin`
- `Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX)`
- `Ciprofloxacin`
Very important: It is essential to take the medication for the entire duration prescribed by the doctor, without missing a single day. If you stop taking the medication halfway through, even if you feel a little better, the chances of the disease coming back are much higher.
Ask your doctor about additional medications you can take to control symptoms like fever and joint pain.
What happens after treatment? Are there any complications?
Most people recover completely after treatment, but some may have symptoms such as joint pain (arthritis) for a long time.
If the disease is not treated properly, serious complications can develop over time.
- Persistent arthritis.
- Swelling of the liver (Hepatomegaly) or spleen (Splenomegaly).
- Infection of the inner lining of the heart (endocarditis).
- Infections of the brain or brain coverings (Encephalitis or Meningitis).
- Infections of the spine (Spondylitis) or other bones (Osteomyelitis).
- Swelling of the testicles and associated ducts in men (Epididymo-orchitis).
- Miscarriage of a pregnant mother.
Although these complications are dangerous, they can be prevented if the disease is diagnosed early and treated appropriately . Death from this disease is extremely rare.
What should we do to protect ourselves from this disease?
The best thing to do is to avoid brucellosis. There are a few simple things you can do to help.
- Never drink unpasteurized (raw) milk. Also, avoid eating foods made from raw milk, such as cheese and yogurt.
- If you work with animals (a farmer, a veterinarian, a butcher), always wear protective gear , such as gloves and goggles.
- Cook meats well and eat them.
- Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap after handling raw meat. Also clean cutting boards and knives.
When should I see a doctor? What are the times to go to the ETU?
If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, especially if you are someone who interacts with animals, be sure to see your doctor .
Also, if you experience the following serious symptoms, immediately go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
- High fever of more than 39.4 Celsius (103 Fahrenheit).
- A very severe stomach ache.
- Confusion or altered consciousness.
In such a situation, serious complications can be prevented by seeking medical advice quickly rather than staying at home.
Take-Home Message
- Brucellosis is a bacterial infection that is transmitted from animals to humans.
- The main symptoms are frequent fevers, joint pain, and sweating.
- This disease can be transmitted by drinking raw milk, eating undercooked meat, and touching infected animals.
- Treatment requires long-term antibiotics (6-8 weeks), and it is essential to take the medication for the full duration prescribed by the doctor.
- This disease can be completely avoided by following safety measures (drinking pasteurized milk, cooking meat thoroughly, and wearing protective gear when handling animals).
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