What do you know about brucellosis? Is brucellosis contagious? What are the methods of spread? What are the symptoms of brucellosis? Read on to find out the answers.
Infectious diseases are diseases and disorders that affect humans due to microorganisms, such as: viruses, bacteria, parasites, or fungi. Some infectious diseases are transmitted from one person to another, or are transmitted to humans by insects, livestock, or by eating contaminated foods. Or drinking contaminated water, or due to contact with animals or their waste.
Let''s find out whether brucellosis is contagious or not? Read on
Is brucellosis contagious?
Is brucellosis contagious? The direct answer to this question is yes, as brucellosis is one of the infectious diseases caused by strains of Brucella bacteria that infect humans and animals.
It is transmitted to humans through ingestion of raw, unpasteurized milk derivatives, or through direct contact with infected animals, or inhalation of polluted air, or through wounds on the skin.
But the transmission of the bacteria that causes brucellosis from one person to another is very rare, but breastfeeding mothers with brucellosis may transmit the bacteria to their children, and the bacteria may be transmitted through sexual contact, blood transfusion, or tissue transplantation.
There are four types of Brucella strains that cause brucellosis in humans, as follows
Brucella melitensis: Found in sheep and goats, it is the most common type that infects humans.
Brucella suis: It is found in wild pigs, and is infected by farmers and pig breeders.
Brucella abortus: It is found in livestock and cows, as it infects farmers and livestock breeders.
Brucella canis: It infects people who keep and work with dogs.
How do you know you have brucellosis?
After learning the answer: Is brucellosis contagious? It is important to know that a person has become infected with brucellosis by the appearance of brucellosis symptoms, as these symptoms appear at any time after the person is infected, and may take a few days to a few months depending on the incubation period.
A group of general symptoms appear that are similar to influenza symptoms, including the following:
The temperature rises above 38.6 degrees Celsius.
Night sweats with chills.
Anorexia.
Headache.
General fatigue and fatigue.
Back and joint pain.
Muscle pain and spasm.
These symptoms may disappear for a short period and then return again, as the infection with brucellosis becomes chronic and results in a group of complications, and a group of symptoms appear for a long period of time even after treatment, and these symptoms include the following:
Recurrent fever.
arthritis.
Swelling of the testicle and cyst of the testicles.
Heart enlargement.
Rheumatoid arthritis.
Swelling of the liver or spleen.
Extreme fatigue.
Groups most at risk of contracting brucellosis
Groups who deal with livestock or who come into contact with contaminated blood are more susceptible to infection with brucellosis, and these groups include the following:
Veterinarians.
Dairy farmers.
Livestock breeders.
Swimming pool workers.
Hunters.
Epidemiologists.
Ways to prevent brucellosis
The risk of brucellosis can be prevented by avoiding the causes and methods of infection with brucellosis, including the following methods:
Avoid foods that contain unpasteurized dairy products, such as cheese and milk.
Avoid eating raw, undercooked meat.
Wear gloves, rubber clothing, and protective glasses when dealing with animals and livestock, and be sure to dispose of gloves and clothing immediately.
Cook meat at a high temperature of 63 - 74 degrees Celsius.
Use protective clothing when in workplaces with a high risk of infection, such as laboratories.
Vaccinating sheep, cows, and goats in areas with high prevalence rates, to limit the spread of bacteria.
The commitment of the groups most at risk of infection to periodically visit specialized epidemiological centers to ensure that they are not infected.
Make sure to cover wounds and skin cracks when cutting meat or touching livestock.
