Typhus

Introduction

Typhus is a suddensevere illness caused by infection with Rickettsia bacteria.

Outbreaks of typhus tend to occur in developing countries and areas where there is poverty, homelessness, close human contact and poor sanitation.

The Rickettsia bacteria that cause typhus are carried by body lice, ticks, mites and fleas.

This page covers the main types:

epidemic typhus (the most serious form) this type occurs in Africa, South America and Asia, and is transmitted by body lice
endemic typhus (the milder form of the disease)itoccurs throughout theworld and is transmitted by ticks, mites andfleas
scrub typhus (also called Tsutsugamushi fever)this type is caught from mites infected with Orientia tsutsugamushi bacteria, which live inheavy scrub vegetation in parts of rural southeast Asia, Oceania and northern Australia

Typhus is generally not a problem in the UK. But you may become infected abroad if you catch Rickettsia-infected lice from infested people or bedding(in budget accommodation or on a sleeper train, for example), or if you are bitten by a Rickettsia-infected tick, mite or flea.

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 4 Jan 2017

Articles for typhus

Introduction

NHS Choices information on typhus, with links to other useful resources.

How do you catch epidemic typhus?

Epidemic typhus is passed from human to human by body lice. These are not the same as Nits or pubic lice , which are a nuisance, but don't transmit disease. The body lice become infected with Ricket

How do you catch endemic typhus?

Endemic typhus is transmitted by ticks, mites and fleas infected withRickettsia bacteria. These animal carriers of typhus may live in thick scrub vegetation or on small mammals or rodents, such as ra

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of epidemic, endemic and scrub typhus are similar. Typically, someone with typhus will start to feel unwell 10 to 14 days after becoming infected. A sudden, severe headache is often th

How is typhus diagnosed and treated?

Anyone who is unwell shortly after visiting a high-risk country should see theirGP, whowill listen to your symptoms and take note of the countriesyou have recently visited. You will also bephysically

What are the possible complications?

If typhus is not diagnosed and treated promptly, there is a risk of developing complications, including: long-term hearing loss or tinnitus low blood pressure organ damage and kidney failure sec

Can typhus be prevented?

There's currently no licensed vaccine for typhus. The best way to avoid becoming infected with typhus is to avoid areas or crowds where louse-borne typhus is a problem, and take care to avoid contact

Health News