Living with Melioidosis
An infection caused by bacteria in soil and water, common in tropical areas, with symptoms that can look like pneumonia or tuberculosis.
Understanding Melioidosis
It is rare in the United States but common in tropical or subtropical places such as Southeast Asia, Africa, and Australia. Symptoms vary a lot and can look like tuberculosis or pneumonia. Healthy people can get sick, but people with diabetes, liver, kidney, or lung disease, thalassemia, cancer, or some autoimmune diseases may be more severely affected.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Fever
- Cough and trouble breathing
- Pneumonia and lung infection
- Lung abscess
- Pain or swelling
- Headache
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who knows rare conditions.
- 3Ask 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
Quick facts
It is caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei bacteria that are commonly found in soil and water. GARD lists no gene or inheritance pattern.
Also known as: acute and fulminating melioidosis; burkholderia pseudomallei caused disease or disorder; burkholderia pseudomallei disease or disorder; burkholderia pseudomallei infectious disease; infection due to burkholderia pseudomallei; infection due to malleomyces pseudomallei
Patient organizations
Rare-disease groups that can help
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Melioidosis.
Explore research for Melioidosis
Explore actively recruiting Melioidosis studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Melioidosis 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
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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