Doctor's Notes on Brucellosis
Brucellosis is an infectious disease that affects mainly animals, including goats, sheep, camels, pigs, elk, deer, cattle, and dogs and is caused by bacteria from the genus Brucella. Humans develop brucellosis when they come in contact with contaminated animals or animal products, most commonly from the ingestion of raw milk or cheese. Brucellosis is diagnosed by blood tests and by isolating the organism from blood and other body tissues.
Symptoms of brucellosis may develop from days to months after initial exposure and often resemble a flu-like illness and may include:
- fever (this is the most common symptom, and it may be come and go),
- sweating,
- body aches,
- joint pain,
- fatigue,
- weakness,
- dizziness,
- headache,
- depression,
- irritability,
- loss of appetite,
- weight loss,
- cough,
- difficulty breathing,
- chest pain,
- abdominal pain, and
- enlarged liver and/or spleen.
What Is the Treatment for Brucellosis?
A combination of two antibiotics, doxycycline and rifampin, is the recommended treatment for brucellosis. In some cases, other antibiotics may be used.
The antibiotics are to be taken in combination for a minimum of 6-8 weeks. Such a long treatment course is necessary because of the organism's ability to survive inside human cells. Even with antibiotic treatment, about 5% to 15% of people will have a relapsing infection, which usually occurs within the first 6 months after treatment.
Other treatments can be used to help relieve symptoms, such as medications to control pain and fever.
Stomach Pain : Nausea & Other Causes Quiz
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Abdominal Pain (Adults)
Abdominal pain in adults can range from a mild stomach ache to severe pain. Examples of causes of abdominal pain in adults include appendicitis, gallbladder disease, gastric ulcers, pancreatitis, heart attack, kidney stones, diverticulitis, shingles, spider bites, and more. Information about when to seek medical care for abdominal pain is also provided. -
Anemia
Anemia can be caused by many conditions and diseases such as iron deficiency, poor diet and nutrition, cancers, bone marrow problems, and more. Symptoms of anemia depend upon the cause, and progression of the disease. Treatment depends upon the cause of anemia. -
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are prescribed to individuals to cure disease by killing bacteria. There are over 100 antibiotics. The main classes of antibiotics include penicillins, cephalosporins, macrolides, flouroquinolones, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, and aminoglycosides. Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem due to the overprescription of antibiotics to individuals. Allergic reactions to antibiotics commonly have the following symptoms shortness of breath, rash, hives, itching, swelling of the lips, face, or tongue, and fainting. -
Chest Pain
Chest pain has a variety of noncardiac and cardiac causes, some of which can be very serious. Signs and symptoms of chest pain may include burning, squeezing, or heaviness in the chest. Atherosclerosis, angina, lung tumors, chest trauma, abdominal pain, and gastric reflux are just a few potential causes of chest pain. Chest pain is diagnosed by taking the patient history and performing a physical exam. Blood work, imaging tests, and an exercise stress test may be ordered. The treatment and prognosis of chest pain depends on the underlying cause. -
Coughs (Acute and Chronic)
A cough is a symptom of an underlying disease or condition. A chronic or persistent cough may signal certain lung conditions that should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Common causes of coughs include infection, allergies, lung disease, medications, and GERD (reflux). Acute coughs are categorized as infectious or non-infectious. Chronic cough (persistent cough) have a variety of causes and should be evaluated by physician. Treatment of cough, acute cough, chronic or persistent cough depends on the cause of the cough. -
Dizziness
Dizziness may be a minor problem, or could be something life-threatening. Causes of dizziness include high blood pressure, low blood pressure, heart problems, conditions of the brain, medications, metabolic conditions, aging, other illnesses or conditions, or psychiatric conditions. Treatment depends upon the cause of the dizziness. -
Headache (Mild)
What causes headaches? Even when mild, headaches can be a cause for concern. Learn about potential causes, types, home remedies, and treatment. -
Joint Pain
Joint pain can be caused by injury or disease affecting any of the ligaments, bursae, or tendons surrounding the joint. Pain also occurs with joint inflammation (arthritis) and infection. Joint pain symptoms can be associated with local warmth, swelling, and tenderness. Treatment depends on the cause and can include rest, cold applications, medications, physical therapy, or surgery. -
Stomach Pain (Abdominal Pain) in Children
Abdominal pain in children can range from trivial to life-threatening. Symptoms of abdominal pain range from vomiting, diarrhea, fever, groin pain, urinary problems, or skin rash. The location of the abdominal pain may be around the belly button, occurs only at night, while eating. The pain pain also may be intermittent. Treatment of abdominal pain in children is depends on the cause. Possible causes of abdominal pain in children include infections, food related (food allergy or food poisoning), poisoning from medication, food, household products, appendicitis, diabetes, or spider bites. -
Weight Loss
Obesity is simply the accumulation of excess body fat. It is much more than that, however. Obesity is a chronic (long-term) disease that is very difficult to treat. It takes 3,500 extra calories to gain 1 pound. To lose weight, you must eat 3,500 calories less than you need, say, 500 fewer calories per day for one week, to lose 1 pound.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.