what-is-brucellosis : Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention

Brucellosis is a disease caused by a group of bacteria from the genus Brucella. These bacteria can infect both humans and animals. Brucellosis is often spread when people eat contaminated food, which can include raw meat and unpasteurized milk. 

What are the symptoms of Brucellosis?

The symptoms of brucellosis in humans are similar to having the flu. The symptoms may include:

• appetite loss
• back pain
• chills
• lethargy
• headaches
• pain in the abdomen
• pain in the joints
• fever that comes and goes
• weight loss

How Brucellosis Diagnosed?

Doctors usually confirm a diagnosis of brucellosis by testing a sample of blood or bone marrow for the brucella bacteria or by testing blood for antibodies to the bacteria. To help detect complications of brucellosis, you may have additional tests, including:

• X-rays. X-rays can reveal changes in your bones and joints.
• Computerized tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).These imaging tests help identify inflammation or abscesses in the brain or other tissues.
• Cerebrospinal fluid culture. This checks a small sample of the fluid that surrounds your brain and spinal cord for infections such as meningitis and encephalitis.
• Echocardiography. This test uses sound waves to create images of your heart to check for signs of infection or damage to your heart.

What are treatments of Brucellosis?

Treatment for brucellosis aims to relieve symptoms, prevent a relapse of the disease and avoid complications. You'll need to take antibiotics for at least six weeks, and your symptoms may not go away completely for several months. The disease can also return and may become chronic.?