Typhus – What is it, Causes, Symptoms and Treatments!

Typhus – What it is, Causes, Symptoms and Treatments  Antibiotics are used to eliminate localized infections caused by typhus. In addition,  Typhus  is a disease caused by infection with one or more rickettsiale bacteria . Fleas, mites, lice or ticks transmit it when they bite you. Fleas, mites, lice and ticks are types of invertebrate animals known as arthropods.

When arthropods that carry rickettsial bacteria bite someone, they pass on the bacteria that causes typhus . Scraping the bite further opens the skin and allows bacteria greater access to the bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream, the bacteria continue to reproduce and grow.

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 can become infected while traveling abroad.

 Untreated disease can lead to serious complications and is potentially fatal. It is important to see your doctor if you suspect that you may have Typhus . so, check now  Typhus – What is it, Causes, Symptoms Treatments:

Causes:  It is not transmitted from person to person like acoldor flu. There are three different types, and each type is caused by a different type ofbacteriaand transmitted by a different type of arthropod.

• Epidemic Typhus:  This type of Typhus  is caused by a virus carried by body lice and possibly ticks as well. It can be found all over the world, including the United States, but is usually found in areas of high population and poor sanitation, where conditions promote lice infestation .
• Endemic Typhus:  Alternatively known as murine typhus  , this type is caused by Riquetsiale tapichi and is carried by the rat flea or cat flea. Endemic typhus can be found all over the world. It can be found among people in close contact with rats. It is not common in the United States, but cases have been reported in some areas, mainly Texas and Southern California.
• Scrub Typhus:  This type is caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi and carried by mites in their larval stage when they are chicheros. This type of typhus  is most common in Asia, Australia, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands. It is also called tsutsugamushi disease.

The louse , flea, tick, or mite become carriers of the bacteria when they feed the blood of an infected person ( epidemic typhus  ) or an infected rodent (any of the three aforementioned forms of typhus  ).

If you come into contact with these bacteria -carrying arthropods that can cause typhus  (for example, by sleeping on lice -infested sheets ), you can become infected in a number of ways.

The bacteria, in addition to being transmitted through your skin by your bites, can also be transmitted through your feces. If you scratch your skin over an area where lice  or mites have fed, bacteria in your stool can enter your bloodstream through small sores on your skin.

Symptoms:  Symptoms vary slightly by type, but there are symptoms associated with all three types of Typhus , such as:

• headache.
• fever .
• goosebumps.
• rash.

Symptoms of Epidemic Typhus Usually Appear Suddenly and Include:

• severe headache.
• High fever (above 102.2°F).
• Rash that starts on the back or chest and spreads.
• confusion.
• Stupor and seems to be out of touch with reality.
• Low blood pressure (hypotension).
• Eye sensitivity to bright lights.
• Severe muscle pain.

Symptoms of Endemic Typhus. They include:

• Dry cough.
• nausea and vomiting.
• diarrhea.

Symptoms in People with Smear Typhus Include:

• Swollen lymph nodes.
• tiredness.
• Red lesion or sore on the skin at the bite site.
• cough.
• rash.

Treatment:  The most commonly used antibiotics to treat include:

• Doxycycline (Doryx, Vibramycin): the preferred treatment.
• Chloramphenicol: an option for those who are not pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Ciprofloxacin (Cipro): Used for adults who are unable to take doxycycline.