Typhus Fevers. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Epidemic Typhus. Minus Related Pages. On This Page. Figure 1: Pediculus humanus corporis, the human body louse. Figure 2: Glaucomys volans, the southern flying squirrel. Top of Page. Arthropods are typically carriers of a typhus strain unique to their species. Typhus outbreaks usually only occur in developing countries or in regions of poverty, poor sanitation, and close human contact. Typhus is generally not a problem in the United States, but you may become infected while traveling abroad.
Typhus is not transmitted from person to person like a cold or the flu. There are three different types of typhus, and each type is caused by a different type of bacterium and transmitted by a different type of arthropod.
This type is caused by Rickettsia prowazekii and carried by the body louse , and possibly by ticks as well. It can be found around the world, including in the United States, but is typically found in areas of high population and poor sanitation, where conditions promote lice infestation. Alternatively known as murine typhus, this type is caused by Rickettsia typhi and is carried by the rat flea or cat flea. Endemic typhus can be found worldwide.
It may be found among people in close contact with rats. Is it a fleabite? Symptoms and treatments ». This type is caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi and carried by mites in their larval stage when they are chiggers. The louse, flea, tick , or mite becomes a carrier of the bacteria when they feed on the blood of an infected person epidemic typhus or an infected rodent any of the three typhus forms mentioned above.
If you come in contact with these bacterium-carrying arthropods for example, by sleeping on bed sheets infested with lice , you can become infected in a couple ways. The bacteria, in addition to being transmitted through your skin by their bites, can also be transmitted through their feces.
If you scratch the skin over an area where lice or mites have been feeding, the bacteria in their feces can enter your bloodstream through the tiny wounds on your skin. Symptoms vary slightly by the type of typhus, but there are symptoms that are associated with all three types of typhus, such as:. The symptoms of endemic typhus last for 10 to 12 days and are very similar to the symptoms of epidemic typhus but are usually less severe.
They include:. The incubation period for the disease is five to 14 days, on average. Travelers who get typhus while traveling abroad may not experience symptoms until they are back home. This is why it is important to tell your doctor about any recent trips if you have any of the above symptoms. If you suspect that you have typhus, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and your medical history. To help with the diagnosis, tell your doctor if you:. People who do not get treatment can die from complications of the infection.
Even if your symptoms seem to go away, you may still be carrying Salmonella Typhi or Salmonella Paratyphi. If so, the illness could return, or you could pass the bacteria to other people.
In fact, if you are a healthcare worker or work at a job where you handle food or care for small children, you may not be able to return to work until a doctor has determined you no longer carry the bacteria. If you are being treated for typhoid fever or paratyphoid fever, it is important to do the following to lower the chance that you will pass the bacteria on to someone else.
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