Typhus Symptoms and Treatment

Typhus is a bacterial disease caused by bacteria of the Rickettsia genus. It is generally caused by two types of Rickettsia bacteria, known as Rickettsia typhi and Rickettsia prowazekii. There are mainly four types of typhus diseases, namely epidemic typhus, endemic or murine typhus, Brill-Zinsser disease and scrub typhus. Out of these, epidemic and Brill-Zinsser disease are caused by Rickettsia prowazekii, while murine or endemic typhus is caused by Rickettsia typhi. On the other hand, Rickettsia tsutsugamushi is the bacteria responsible for causing scrub typhus. The first typhus vaccine was developed by Rudolf Weigl, a Polish zoologist, during the period between the first and the second world war, to prevent the epidemic of the disease.

The bacteria that cause typhus are usually carried by parasitic insects like body lice and fleas. Epidemic typhus is mainly found in overcrowded areas coupled with poor hygiene. The bacteria usually reside on the feces of lice that can easily get into the body through wounds caused by scratching insect bites. Similarly, endemic or murine typhus, is caused by fleas. Bill-Zinsser disease is a mild form of epidemic typhus caused by the reactivation of the bacteria in a previously infected individual. On the other hand, the bacteria that cause scrub typhus are generally carried by mites or chiggers. In all, living in unhygienic conditions and exposure to lice, fleas and also rat and rat feces, increases the risk of suffering from typhus.

Signs of Typhus

The symptoms are usually similar, but can vary in severity depending on the specific types. The epidemic typhus is a severe infection that produces high fever, headaches, weakness, skin rashes including both spots and bumps, and muscle pain. Sometimes, it can also cause a severe disease, known as encephalitis, which is characterized by the inflammation of heart muscles and brain. The skin rashes generally appear in the middle part of the body, like chest, back or abdomen and then spread to arms, legs and other parts of the body. On the other hand, the symptoms of Bill-Zinsser disease include fever and skin rashes, as it is a mild form of epidemic typhus.

The symptoms of endemic or murine typhus, are high fever accompanied by chills and headaches that can last for several days, light skin rashes, dry cough and joint pain. It can also cause abdominal pain, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting and even delirium. On the other hand, people with scrub typhus may experience cough, fever and muscle pain.

Diagnosis and Treatment for Typhus

The diagnosis involves tests to determine the response of the antibodies to virus and bacteria. Generally, blood count test is carried out to find out the level of platelets and blood cells. A low level of platelets and anemia may be present in this condition. Blood tests are also performed to determine the level of typhus antibodies, albumin, sodium and liver enzymes to ensure a proper diagnosis of the disease. However, the diagnosis of the disease can be quite time-consuming and so, in many instances, physicians have to start the preliminary treatment based on the symptoms.

It is treated with antibiotics like tetracycline and chloramphenicol. The epidemic type of typhus may also require administration of intravenous fluid and oxygen. The older population, usually those more than 60 years, are at a greater risk of being adversely affected by this disease, especially by the epidemic typhus, the most severe form of typhus.

It sometimes may lead to some serious complications like pneumonia, damage to the central nervous system and kidney. The best way to prevent the disease is to maintain proper personal and communal hygiene, and avoid exposure to parasitic insects like lice and fleas.