How is epidemic typhus diagnosed?
People with epidemic typhus have a fever, an intense headache, and extreme exhaustion, followed by a rash 4 to 6 days later. To diagnose the infection, doctors test a sample of the rash and sometimes do blood tests. Washing and drying infested clothes at high temperatures can help prevent the spread of infection.
Is typhus an endemic disease?
Typhus is a disease caused by bacteria (mainly Rickettsia typhi or R. prowazekii). There are two major types of typhus: endemic (or murine typhus) and epidemic typhus — bacterial infections cause both. The bacteria are small and very difficult to cultivate.
What is endemic typhus fever?
Endemic typhus fever is caused by bacteria called Rickettsia typhi or another bacteria called Rickettsia felis. Endemic typhus is not directly spread from person to person. People become infected when they come into contact with fleas infected with the bacteria that cause endemic typhus fever.
Where is typhus endemic?
Endemic typhus fever occurs worldwide, most commonly in areas where rats and people live in close contact. Disease also occurs among people who live near or have contact with other small mammals (such as opossums).
Is typhus still around today?
Though epidemic typhus was responsible for millions of deaths in previous centuries, it is now considered a rare disease. Occasionally, cases continue to occur, in areas where extreme overcrowding is common and body lice can travel from one person to another.
What are the three types of typhus?
There are three different types of typhus:
- epidemic (louse-borne) typhus.
- endemic (murine) typhus.
- scrub typhus.
Is typhus common today?
What is the difference between typhoid and typhus?
Both diseases contain the word ‘typhi’ in their official names. Rickettsia typhi is the proper name of typhus and it’s Salmonella typhi for typhoid. Infection vector, treatment and prevention, however, could not be more different: Vector: Typhoid infection is food borne; typhus infection is flea-borne.
Where is typhus most commonly found?
Most U.S. cases have been reported in California, Hawaii, and Texas. Epidemic typhus is a rare variety spread by infected body lice. It’s unlikely to happen outside of extremely crowded living conditions. One type of epidemic typhus can be spread by infected flying squirrels.
Can you survive typhus?
Mortality for epidemic typhus that goes untreated can range from 10 to 60 percent, and mortality from untreated scrub typhus can range up to 30 percent. Endemic/murine typhus is rarely deadly, even without treatment.