How is brucellosis in humans manifested? Causes, Symptoms and Treatment of Disease

Brucellosis is a fairly common infectious disease. Pathogenic microorganisms can affect both animals and humans. It should be noted that brucellosis in humans causes damage to many body systems and, in the absence of treatment, can become chronic, which is extremely dangerous.

Brucellosis in humans and its causes

In 1886 the researcher Bruce for the first time in history isolated the causative agent of brucellosis - the Brucella bacterium parasitizing both on the animal and on the human body. In fact, there are several strains of such microorganisms that can lead to the development of this disease.

It should be noted that brucellae are very persistent - they are able to tolerate both high and low temperatures. Most often, human infection occurs when eating meat and certain products of vital activity of sick animals. For example, in meat, bacteria can remain viable for about five months, and in milk, up to eight weeks.

In addition, it is possible and the household transmission path, for example, through scratches and cracks on the skin. Infections of this most susceptible people working with animals, in particular, veterinarians, milkmaids, etc.

Brucellosis in humans: photos and symptoms

Most often, the first signs of the disease appear 1-5 weeks after infection. During this time pathogenic microorganisms manage to spread throughout the body together with the current of lymph and blood. Brucellosis in humans primarily affects the musculoskeletal system, central nervous system, liver, lymph nodes, reproductive organs, spleen.

As a rule, first an increase in body temperature occurs. Fever and chills can last up to three weeks. Along with this, peripheral lymph nodes increase - they are easy to probe under the skin even on their own. Symptoms can also include increased sweating, especially at night. The defeat of the nervous system leads to the appearance of headache, insomnia, increased irritability.

In the absence of treatment, the disease turns into a chronic form, which is fraught with dangerous complications. Brucellosis in humans affects primarily the joints, which leads to severe pain and limited mobility. Meningitis, hepatitis, neuritis, radiculitis, diseases of the cardiovascular system, disruption of the auditory and visual apparatus can also be referred to complications.

Brucellosis in humans: treatment

Of course, you first have to pass some tests to confirm the diagnosis. The blood test helps to determine the presence of specific antibodies, and laboratory culture allows isolating the pathogen itself and testing its sensitivity to a particular group of drugs.

As for therapy, in this case antibiotics of tetracycline series are used, including "Levomycetin" and "Streptomycin". Most often 3-4 weeks of therapy is enough to completely free the body of pathogenic microorganisms. After that, doctors can prescribe a vaccination that will protect against re-infection.

By the way, people who work with animals or products of their livelihoods should be vaccinated in advance, for preventive purposes. And, of course, you need to pay attention to cooking, observing the norms of heat treatment.