Alternative names 
Murine typhus; Epidemic typhus; Endemic typhus; Brill-Zinsser disease; Jail fever

Definition
Typhus is an infectious disease which is transmitted by lice or fleas and characterized by high fever, a transient rash, and fairly severe illness.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Typhus is a rickettsial disease caused by one of two organisms, Rickettsia prowazekii (epidemic typhus and Brill disease) and Rickettsia typhi (murine or endemic typhus). Epidemic typhus and Brill disease are uncommon in the United States.

Murine typhus occurs in the southeastern and southern states. There are less than 100 cases per year. Murine typhus is a milder form and is seldom fatal (less than 2%).

It is frequently seen in the summer and fall and typically lasts two to three weeks. Risk factors for murine typhus include exposure to rat fleas or rat feces, or exposure to other animals (such as cats, opossums, raccoons, skunks, and rats).

Epidemic typhus occurs in poor hygienic conditions (which is why it is sometimes called “jail fever”), usually when the temperature is cold. It is spread by lice. Although very rare in the United States, it has sometimes been spread by the lice and fleas of flying squirrels.

Brill-Zinsser disease is a mild form of epidemic typhus, caused by reactivation of the disease in the body of someone who has been previously infected after a long period of dormancy. This is more common in the elderly.

Symptoms
SYMPTOMS OF MURINE TYPHUS:

 
• headache  
• backache  
• arthralgia  
• fever, extremely high (105 to 106 degrees Fahrenheit) and may last up to two weeks  
• rash that begins on the trunk and spreads peripherally (The rash is made up of dull-red macules that may become slightly papular after the initial appearance may last only a few hours.)  
• nausea and vomiting in most patients  
• hacking, dry cough  
• abdominal pain

Symptoms OF EPIDEMIC TYPHUS:

 
• severe headache  
• fever, high (104 degrees Fahrenheit)  
• cough in 70% of patients  
• arthralgia and myalgia, (muscle pain) severe  
• chills  
• falling blood pressure  
• stupor  
• delirium  
• rash that begins on chest and spreads to rest of trunk and extremities, but not to palms and soles  
• early rash is faint and rose colored and fades with pressure (Later the lesions become dull, red, and do not fade. People with severe typhus may also develop petechiae.)  
• lights appear very bright, and exposure to light may hurt the eyes

Signs and tests

 
• CBC may show anemia and low platelets  
• low serum sodium  
• low albumin levels in the blood  
• mildly increased liver enzymes  
• mild renal failure  
• antibody tests to typhus should be elevated

Treatment
The goal of treatment is to eliminate the infection and to treat the symptoms with antibiotics (such as tetracycline, doxycycline, or chloramphenicol). For epidemic typhus, intravenous fluids and oxygen may be necessary to help stabilize the patient.

Note: Oral tetracycline is usually not prescribed for children until after all the permanent teeth have erupted. It can permanently discolor teeth that are still forming.

Expectations (prognosis)

Without treatment death may occur in 10 to 60% of patients with epidemic typhus. Patients over the age of 60 have the highest risk of death. With timely antibiotic therapy, the affected person is expected to recover completely.

Less than 2% of untreated patients with murine typhus may die, and appropriate antibiotic therapy will cure virtually all patients.

Complications

 
• renal insufficiency  
• pneumonia  
• central nervous system damage

Calling your health care provider
Call your health care provider if symptoms of any type of typhus develop. This serious disorder can require emergency care.

Prevention
Avoid areas where rat fleas or lice might be encountered. Good sanitation and public health measures reduce the rat population.

Medical Encyclopedia

All ArmMed Media material is provided for information only and is neither advice nor a substitute for proper medical care. Consult a qualified healthcare professional who understands your particular history for individual concerns.