Endemic typhus

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Endemic Typhus is a form of typhus that is less severe than epidemic typhus. It is caused by the bacterium Rickettsia typhi and is transmitted to humans by the flea species Xenopsylla cheopis and Ctenocephalides felis.

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

The symptoms of endemic typhus include fever, headache, chills, and rash. These symptoms usually appear within 1 to 2 weeks after exposure to the bacteria.

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Endemic typhus is diagnosed through a combination of clinical symptoms and laboratory tests. The most common test is the Weil-Felix test, which detects antibodies to Rickettsia in the patient's blood.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

The treatment for endemic typhus is typically a course of the antibiotic doxycycline. In severe cases, hospitalization may be required.

Prevention[edit | edit source]

Prevention of endemic typhus involves controlling the flea population and avoiding contact with infected animals.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


Endemic typhus Resources
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD, Dr.T