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Typhus is caused by bacteria of the family Rickettsia.There are two main species causing typhus: Rickettsia prowazekii which causes epidemic typhus and Rickettsia typhi which cause murine or endemic typhus.Unlike most other bacteria, the rickettsias can only survive within human body cells
Epidemic typhus is tranmitted to humans by the human body lice while endemic(murine) typhus is tranmitted by the rat flea.The fleas or lice after biting an infected victim , picks up the germ. Humans become infected by rubbing or scratching the insect feces into their skin or into their mucous membranes. Body lice are present in unsanitary conditions,i.e: refugee camps, slums,etc.The rat flea lives on rats which also thrives in poor sanitary conditions.
In both forms of typhus, heache, fever(40 C),backache, chills, , coughing and severe muscular pain are present. A dark rash(macules) appears on the trunk nd spreads out.In epidemic typhus, stupor , delirium(confusion) and falling blood pressure are present.Both forms of typhus are fatal but the endemic or murine form is milder.
Antibiotics like tetracyclines or chloramphenicol can kill the bacteria . For epidemic typhus, intravenous fluids and oxygen may be necessary due to the severe symptoms.
As the disease spreads easily in unhygienic conditions, cleanliness is important as the insects and rats thrive in poor sanitary conditions.Change and wash personal clothing frequently to prevnt lice infestation.
Typhus comes from the Greek word "typhos" meaning stupor or confusion which is associated with the disease.The names of the bacteria responsible Rickettsia comes from Howard Ricketts, a doctor who discovered the organism responsible for typhus.However, he died of typhus himself. Interestingly, typhus although spread by fleas and lice is not transmitted by the bite of the insects itself.
