The type of typhus you are infected with depends on what bit you. 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:. Keep your pets free of fleas using topical or oral medications. Check with your vet for the best flea-control plan for your pet. Keep your pets inside as much as possible. Animals who go outside are more likely to come in contact with fleas and could bring them inside. Use insect repellant that is labeled for use against fleas.
This is a must if you're going camping, hiking, or working outdoors. Avoid petting or feeding stray animals. Tags: Prevention. Expert Advice. Popular Categories. 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. In the United States, rare cases of epidemic typhus, called sylvatic typhus, can occur.
These cases occur when people are exposed to flying squirrels and their nests. Symptoms of epidemic typhus begin within 2 weeks after contact with infected body lice. Signs and symptoms may include:. Most people start to feel better within 48 hours of starting treatment. It's important to keep taking your antibiotics until they're finished, even if you feel better.
Page last reviewed: 05 October Next review due: 05 October How you get typhus You can catch typhus if you're bitten by infected lice, mites or fleas. Typhus is mainly a problem in parts of Africa, South America and Asia where living standards and hygiene levels are poor, especially in: overcrowded places like travel hostels places with lots of bushes and grassland How to lower the risk of typhus when travelling There's no vaccine to prevent typhus, but you can reduce the risk of getting infected.
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