Brucellosis has many other names that seem to have a more suggestive power – Cyprus fever, Malta fever, Gibraltar fever and Rock fever. The names speak about the common places where brucellosis has developed and the Mediterranean and Eastern parts of the world seem to be the favorite parts of this infection. Brucellosis is caused by a bacteria named brucella and may be transmitted to humans from the infected animals – cattle, pigs, goats and even dogs. The infected meat is the cause of the disease or other infected products from the animals as it is the case of unpasteurized milk and cheese. The disadvantage of this disease is that it may be chronic and may be present in the body for years.

The common symptoms of brucellosis are fever, general weakness and fatigue, headache and backache, loss of appetite and even weight loss. Joint pain and chills may be also present as signs of the brucellosis, associated with muscle pain and swollen glands. The complications may appear in cases when brucellosis is not discovered and treated properly, especially when it is the case of chronic brucellosis. The complications may be the development of other severe illnesses, such is the case of meningitis and encephalitis. Some bone and joint lesions are also possible as a consequence of the untreated brucellosis. Chronic fatigue syndrome may be associated with chronic brucellosis and may cause discomfort and impossibility of having the previous normal and active lifestyle. The central nervous system may be also affected as a result of the chronic or severe brucellosis. The lining of the heart may also occur as a result of the same untreated problem.

Brucellosis is considered a rare type of infection, but it is rather frequent in the communities and countries where cattle growing are the main occupation of the people and the hygiene rules are not respected, especially eating and drinking only pasteurized products. The main form of prevention is respecting the hygiene rules and norms and avoiding as much as possible unpasteurized products. Nevertheless, vets and other people that work with cattle are more likely to get the infection and there is no vaccine available for people against brucellosis, although vaccine is available for the animals.

Some other prevention methods may be wearing gloves for meat handling and cooking meat with great care. Vaccination of animals is another important aspect that should be respected in order to avoid some other unpleasant consequences for the family members of other people. The most affected people and exposed to the likeliness of being infected with brucellosis are the farmers, hunters, vets and laboratorial workers, meat inspectors and meat workers. However, brucellosis may be easily taken if the meat is cooked improperly or in the cases of traveling in the places where brucellosis may be present. That is why special care should be the first principle when traveling overseas and being sure about the pasteurized products and other norms of hygiene may not be taken as snobbish and absurd pretensions.

The treatment of brucellosis is mainly the use of antibiotics that are responsible for the release of the symptoms, reducing as much as possible complications and reducing the period of illness. Unfortunately, some relapses are possible and in these cases the treatment should be repeated. In order to detect brucellosis the symptoms are not enough, as they may also be signs of other illnesses and infections. The travel overseas may be a sign of the infection of brucellosis and in this case a history of the food or occupations may be important. However, the diagnosis is confirmed due to the special laboratory tests. Blood samples or bone marrow samples may confirm the diagnosis.