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Living with Brucellosis

A bacterial infection that spreads from animals to people, causing fever, sweats, and aches.

Understanding Brucellosis

Brucellosis is a bacterial infection that spreads from animals to people.

It spreads through unpasteurized dairy products, contaminated animal products, or contact with infected animals such as sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, and dogs. Some symptoms may persist or return. People in jobs or settings with more exposure are at higher risk. It can happen at any age.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:

  • Fever and sweats
  • Tiredness and weakness
  • Headache
  • Muscle, joint, or back pain
  • Loss of appetite and weight loss
  • Enlarged liver or spleen

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who knows rare conditions.

  3. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

Care & treatment

Care team
A doctor familiar with rare conditions, plus specialists as needed
Expert care
Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
How is brucellosis confirmed with testing?
Could symptoms return, and what should I watch for?
How can we lower the chance of exposure at work or at home?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startany time in life

It is caused by a bacterial infection spread from animals to people through unpasteurized dairy products, contaminated animal products, or contact with infected animals.

Infectious

Also known as: cyprus fever; gibraltar fever; malta fever; maltese fever; mediterranean fever; rock fever

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · BrucellosisGARD ID 5966 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Brucellosis.

Explore the Brucellosis blog

Explore research for Brucellosis

Explore actively recruiting Brucellosis studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Brucellosis with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.

  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
  • Share your city to look for research near you
  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper

I can help you find recruiting Brucellosis studies. Enter a ZIP code, address or city below and I'll look within 50 miles.

Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

Get Signals for Brucellosis

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HealthStoryfor Brucellosis

Create a living journal that talks back

HealthStory evolves private journaling with a living AI journal that talks back and asks thoughtful questions, helping you capture your Brucellosis experiences more deeply and prepare for better conversations with your doctors and care team.

Start your Brucellosis journal

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