Brill's disease

Brill's disease is a disease that is a relapse of epidemic typhus. It was first identified by Nathan Edwin Brill in 1910, who was working at the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Brill's disease is also known as recrudescent typhus or typhus II.

History

Nathan Edwin Brill first identified the disease in 1910. Brill was a physician at the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. He noticed that some patients who had previously suffered from epidemic typhus were experiencing a relapse of the disease. This relapse was later named Brill's disease in his honor.

Symptoms

The symptoms of Brill's disease are similar to those of epidemic typhus, but are generally milder. They include fever, headache, chills, and muscle pain. In severe cases, patients may also experience confusion, seizures, and rash.

Causes

Brill's disease is caused by the bacterium Rickettsia prowazekii, the same bacterium that causes epidemic typhus. The bacterium is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected body louse.

Treatment

The treatment for Brill's disease is the same as for epidemic typhus. This typically involves the use of antibiotics, such as doxycycline or chloramphenicol.

See also

• Epidemic typhus
• Nathan Edwin Brill
• Rickettsia prowazekii