Typhus





Typhus is a name given to several similar diseases caused by Rickettsiae.

There are three types of typhus:

  1. epidemic typhus, also called louse-bourne typhus
  2. endemic typhus, also called flea-borne typhus and murine typhus
  3. scrub typhus, also called chigger-borne typhus

Epidemic typhus is so called because it can cause epidemics associated with
wars and natural disasters. The causative organism is Rickettsia prowazekii,
transmitted by the human body louse (Pediculus humanus corporis). Symptoms
are headache, fever, chills, exhaustion, and rash.

   * The Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, run by the Nazis, was notorious
     for being dirty and fostering epidemic typhus - killing Anne Frank and
     others Jewish prisioners. This form of typhus is also known as prison
     fever and as ship fever, because it becomes prevalent in crowded
     conditions in prisons and aboard ships.

Endemic typhus is caused by Rickettsia typhi, transmitted by fleas infesting
rats, and, less often, Rickettsia felis, transmitted by fleas carried by
cats or opossums. Symptoms include headache, fever, chills, joint pain,
nausea, vomiting, and cough.

Scrub typhus is caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi and transmitted by
chiggers, which are found in areas of heavy scrub vegetation. Symptoms
include fever, headache, muscle pain, cough, and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Definitive diagnosis can be obtained by serological testing. Treatment is
often with tetracycline or related antibiotics.

There are a number of other diseases caused by Rickettsiae, including Rocky
Mountain spotted fever (also known as "Tick typhus"), Rickettsialpox and
Boutonneuse fever.

Typhoid fever is a completely different disease caused by various strains of
Salmonella, and should not be confused with typhus despite their
similar-sounding names.