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Brucellosis - Picture, Symptoms, Cause and Treatment of Brucellosis
What is Brucellosis?
A disease of farm animals (pigs, cattle, goats) that can be passed on to human beings but is rare in Britain.
People commonly affected by Brucellosis
All age groups and both sexes.
Part of body involved with Brucellosis
Liver, spleen, lymph glands, bone marrow.
Symptoms of Brucellosis
In humans it is characterized by fever, copious sweats, joint backache and headache, although the symptoms are not always clear cut. There may be enlargement of the spleen and liver. A person with symptoms of brucellosis should seek medical attention.
Treatment of Brucellosis
The treatment consists of relief of the symptoms by means of analgesics and taking antibiotics, particularly tetracyclines, cotrimoxazole or gentamicin, to kill the infection. Sometimes a tetracycline and streptomycin are prescribed if the disease is present in chronic form.
Cause of Brucellosis
The cause is a species of bacteria belonging to the genus Brucella , and humans are usually infected by drinking non pasteurized milk from cattle or goats with the disease. Hence, preventative measures are of prime importance, particularly the pasteurizing of all milk for human consumption and keeping farm animals free from the disease. Brucellosis itself is rarely fatal, but there may be serious complications in the form of MENINGITIS or PNEUMONIA.
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