BRUCELLOSIS(Undulant Fever; Bang's Disease) |
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BRUCELLOSIS (Undulant Fever; Bang's Disease)
DESCRIPTIONBrucellosis is a bacterial infection transmitted to humans from infected cows, pigs, sheep or goats. It is not contagious from person to person. The blood-producing organs, including bone marrow, lymph glands, liver, and spleen are involved.
Appropriate health care includes:
Physician's monitoring of general condition and medications.
Hospitalization.
Self-care after treatment of the acute phase.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
The disease has an acute form and a chronic form. In the acute form, the following symptoms appear suddenly:
Chills, intermittent fever, sweating.
Marked fatigue.
Tenderness along the spine.
Headache.
Enlarged lymph glands.
In the chronic form, the following symptoms appear suddenly:
Fatigue.
Muscle pain.
Backache.
Constipation.
Weight loss.
Depression.
Abscesses in the ovaries, kidney and brain (rare).
CAUSES
Infection is caused by the bacteria brucella, which is transmitted to humans through unpasteurized milk or milk products (butter, cheese) or meat products.
RISK FACTORS
Pernicious anemia or previous stomach surgery. These conditions result in reduced stomach acid; stomach acid decreases the chance of infection.
Living or working around animals, such as living on a farm or working in a butcher shop.
PREVENTING COMPLICATIONS OR RECURRENCE
Don't serve your child unpasteurized milk from any source.
Encourage your child to use gloves and aprons when working around animals.
BASIC INFORMATION
MEDICAL TESTS
Your own observation of symptoms.
Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
Laboratory blood studies.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
Heart, bone, brain, or liver infection (rare).
Chronic illness and disability from inadequate treatment and care.
PROBABLE OUTCOME
Usually curable in 3 to 4 weeks with treatment.
TREATMENT
HOME CARE
It usually is not necessary to isolate the ill child.
All family members who may have been exposed to the same infected milk products should have medical checkups and diagnostic tests.
MEDICATION
Your doctor may prescribe:
Antibiotics to fight infection, such as tetracycline, for a minimum of 3 weeks.
Cortisone drugs to reduce the inflammatory response in severe cases.
Pain relievers for muscle pain.
See Medications section for information regarding medicines your doctor may prescribe.
ACTIVITY
Your child should rest in bed until fever and other symptoms subside, then resume normal activities gradually.
DIET & FLUIDS
No special diet. Increase the child's calories if weight loss has been significant.
OK TO GO TO SCHOOL?When appetite has returned and alertness, strength, and feeling of well-being will allow.
CALL YOUR DOCTOR IF
Your child has symptoms of undulant fever.
Fever or other symptoms recur after treatment.
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