What happens if brucellosis is not treated?

Brucellosis is a bacterial infection that can cause fever, sweats, tiredness, muscle aches and joint pain. Symptoms may come and go, which can make the illness seem to be settling while infection remains. Without appropriate treatment, longer-lasting inflammation may affect joints and bones, the nervous system, the heart or other organs. The specific risk depends on the person, the duration of illness and the site of infection. Exposure to unpasteurised dairy products or infected animals should be mentioned during assessment.

Seek a medical assessment if you have persistent or returning fever, night sweats, unexplained aches or a relevant animal or food exposure. A Blood Test may help investigate brucellosis, but results need to be interpreted with your history and examination. If diagnosed, Antibiotic Treatment usually involves a carefully selected course and follow-up. Take treatment exactly as prescribed and do not share antibiotics or stop early because symptoms improve.

Seek urgent help for confusion, severe headache or neck stiffness, fainting, chest pain, new weakness, severe breathlessness or a very painful swollen joint. Prompt review is also needed for persistent fever with marked weakness, dehydration or worsening symptoms during treatment.

Ask whether your exposure and symptoms need testing, which organs need checking, how long treatment is expected to last, and which return of symptoms should prompt review.