Brucellosis is a fairly common infectious disease. Pathogens can infect both animals and humans. It should be noted that brucellosis in humans causes damage to many body systems and, if untreated, can go into a chronic form, 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, which parasitizes both the animal and 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 brucella is very resistant - they are able to tolerate both high and low temperatures. Most often, a person becomes infected by eating meat and certain vital products of sick animals. For example, in meat, bacteria can survive for about five months, and in milk for up to eight weeks.
In addition, a household transmission path is also possible, for example, through scratches and cracks in the skin. People working with animals are most susceptible to this infection, 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 have time to spread throughout the body along with the flow of lymph and blood. Brucellosis in humans primarily affects the musculoskeletal system, central nervous system, liver, lymph nodes, reproductive organs, and spleen.
As a rule, an increase in body temperature is first observed. Fever and chills can last up to three weeks. Along with this, peripheral lymph nodes increase - they are easy to feel under the skin, even on their own. Symptoms can also include increased sweating, especially at night. Damage to the nervous system leads to the appearance of headache, insomnia, increased irritability.
If untreated, the disease becomes chronic, which is fraught with dangerous complications. Brucellosis in humans primarily affects joints, which leads to severe pain and limited mobility. Complications can also include meningitis, hepatitis, neuritis, radiculitis, diseases of the cardiovascular system, impaired hearing and visual apparatus.
Brucellosis in humans: treatment
Of course, you will first have to take some tests to confirm the diagnosis. A blood test helps to determine the presence of specific antibodies, and laboratory culture allows you to isolate the pathogen itself and check its sensitivity to a particular group of drugs.
As for therapy, in this case tetracycline antibiotics are used, including Levomycetin and Streptomycin. Most often, 3-4 weeks of therapy is enough to completely free the body from pathogenic microorganisms. After that, doctors can prescribe a vaccination that will protect against reinfection.
By the way, people who work with animals or their metabolic products should be vaccinated in advance for preventive purposes. And, of course, you need to be careful about cooking, observing the norms of heat treatment.