Question 1

What is Brucellosis?

Accepted Answer

Brucellosis is a bacterial infection transmitted from infected animals to humans through contact or consuming unpasteurized dairy products. It is caused by Brucella bacteria species including Brucella melitensis, Brucella abortus, Brucella suis, and Brucella canis. The Blood Culture test is the most important test for diagnosis because it directly detects and isolates Brucella bacteria from the bloodstream.

Question 2

What causes brucellosis?

Accepted Answer

Brucellosis is caused by Brucella bacteria that spread from infected animals to humans. The primary species include Brucella melitensis from goats and sheep, Brucella abortus from cattle, Brucella suis from pigs, and Brucella canis from dogs. You can get infected through direct contact with infected animals, consuming unpasteurized milk or cheese, or breathing in contaminated air in slaughterhouses or laboratories. The bacteria enter your body through breaks in the skin, mucous membranes, or the digestive tract.

Question 3

What is the best test for brucellosis?

Accepted Answer

The Blood Culture test is the most important test for brucellosis because it directly detects and isolates Brucella bacteria from your bloodstream, providing definitive confirmation of active infection. This test involves growing bacteria from your blood sample in a laboratory setting over several days, and a positive result confirms that you have brucellosis and need antibiotic treatment. Blood culture is considered the gold standard because it identifies the specific Brucella species causing your infection, which helps your doctor choose the most effective antibiotics. Serological tests that detect antibodies may also be used as supporting tests, but blood culture remains the definitive diagnostic method.

Question 4

When should I get tested for brucellosis?

Accepted Answer

You should get tested if you develop persistent fever, severe joint pain, fatigue, or night sweats, especially if you work with livestock, have consumed unpasteurized dairy products, or traveled to areas where brucellosis is common. Testing is particularly important for farmers, veterinarians, slaughterhouse workers, and laboratory personnel who handle animal tissues. Get tested promptly if you have unexplained recurring fevers that come and go, as early detection prevents serious complications like heart inflammation or neurological problems.

Question 5

What are the symptoms of brucellosis?

Accepted Answer

Brucellosis symptoms typically include recurring fever that rises in the afternoon and evening, severe fatigue, joint and muscle pain, headaches, and drenching night sweats. You might also experience back pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, abdominal pain, and general weakness that interferes with daily activities. Some people develop swollen lymph nodes, enlarged liver or spleen, and depression or mood changes. Symptoms can appear anywhere from one week to several months after exposure and may persist for weeks or months if untreated.

Question 6

Who is at risk for brucellosis?

Accepted Answer

People who work directly with animals or animal products face the highest risk, including farmers, ranchers, veterinarians, slaughterhouse workers, meat inspectors, and laboratory personnel. You are also at risk if you consume unpasteurized milk, cheese, or other dairy products from goats, sheep, cows, or camels. Hunters who handle wild game, particularly feral pigs, can contract brucellosis through contact with infected blood or tissues. International travelers to regions where brucellosis is common, such as the Mediterranean, Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of Latin America, face increased exposure risk.

Question 7

What happens if brucellosis is left untreated?

Accepted Answer

Untreated brucellosis can lead to serious complications affecting multiple organ systems. The infection can spread to your heart causing endocarditis, which damages heart valves and can be life-threatening. You may develop chronic arthritis with persistent joint damage, bone infections, or inflammation of the spinal vertebrae. Neurological complications include meningitis, encephalitis, and nerve damage that causes numbness or weakness. Some people develop liver abscesses, spleen enlargement, or reproductive system complications including orchitis in men and pregnancy complications in women. The infection can become chronic, lasting months or years with recurring symptoms.

Question 8

Can brucellosis be diagnosed with a blood test?

Accepted Answer

Yes, brucellosis is diagnosed primarily through blood tests, with blood culture being the definitive diagnostic method. A blood culture grows and identifies Brucella bacteria directly from your blood sample, confirming active infection. Serological blood tests that detect antibodies against Brucella bacteria can also support the diagnosis, though they may remain positive even after treatment. Blood tests are essential because brucellosis symptoms mimic many other conditions, making clinical diagnosis unreliable. Your doctor may order multiple blood draws over several days to increase the chance of detecting bacteria, especially during fever spikes.

Question 9

How is brucellosis treated?

Accepted Answer

Brucellosis is treated with a combination of antibiotics taken for six to eight weeks to completely eliminate the infection. The standard treatment combines doxycycline with either rifampin, streptomycin, or gentamicin to prevent the bacteria from developing resistance and to reduce relapse rates. Your doctor will monitor your progress with follow-up blood tests to ensure the infection is clearing. You may also need medications to manage symptoms like fever and pain during treatment. Complete the full antibiotic course even if you feel better, as stopping early can cause the infection to return and become more difficult to treat.

Question 10

How can I prevent brucellosis?

Accepted Answer

Prevent brucellosis by avoiding unpasteurized milk, cheese, ice cream, and other dairy products, especially when traveling to areas where the disease is common. If you work with animals, wear protective gloves, masks, and goggles when handling animal tissues, blood, or birth products, and wash your hands thoroughly after contact. Hunters should wear gloves when field-dressing animals and cook wild game meat thoroughly. Vaccination programs for livestock help reduce transmission risk in agricultural settings. If you work in a laboratory, follow strict biosafety procedures when handling Brucella samples, as the bacteria can become airborne.

Question 11

What can I do at home for brucellosis?

Accepted Answer

While antibiotics are essential for treating brucellosis, you can support your recovery at home by getting plenty of rest and staying well-hydrated to help your body fight the infection. Use over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to manage fever, headaches, and joint pain as recommended by your doctor. Eat nutritious, easy-to-digest foods to maintain your strength, even if you have little appetite. Apply warm compresses to painful joints for relief, and avoid strenuous activities until your symptoms improve. Keep all follow-up appointments with your healthcare provider to monitor your recovery and ensure the infection is clearing.

Question 12

How’s this work?

Accepted Answer

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short:
            
                In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
                If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
                Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
                If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
                When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
                Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
                You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!
                If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Question 13

How do I know which test to get?

Accepted Answer

In the test options, find the test you want.
            If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option.
            Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.

Question 14

When will my lab results be available?

Accepted Answer

Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know.
            After your blood draw, just hang tight and don't worry – we'll keep you updated and in the loop!
            If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you.

Question 15

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you.
            Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at
            support@privatemdlabs.com. Remember to include your order number and let us know the correct information you’d like to update.
            Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you.
            There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out.
            Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.

Question 16

Do you accept health insurance?

Accepted Answer

Only HSA & FSA is accepted.
            Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts.
            This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare.
            If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.

Question 17

Can I cancel my order?

Accepted Answer

Yes.
            We get it – sometimes your needs change.
            As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order.
            If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.
            You can read more about our cancellation policy here.

Question 18

How can I find a lab location near me?

Accepted Answer

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached!
            You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp).
            Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym.
            If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Brucellosis Blood Test

What is Brucellosis?

What causes brucellosis?

What is the best test for brucellosis?

When should I get tested for brucellosis?

References

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