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Typhus

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Definition:

Typhus is an infectious disease that is spread by lice or fleas.

Alternative Names:

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

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Typhus is caused by one of two types of bacteria: Rickettsia typhi and Rickettsia prowazekii .

The type of typus depends on which bacteria causes the infection.

Rickettsia typhi causes murine or endemic typhus. Endemic typhus is uncommon in the United States. It is usually seen in areas where hygiene is poor and the temperature is cold. Endemic typhus is sometimes called "jail fever." Lice and fleas of flying squirrels spread the bacteria.

Murine typhus occurs in the southeastern and southern United States. Murine typhus is rarely deadly. It is often seen in the summer and fall. Symptoms usually last 2 - 3 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).

Rickettsia prowazekii causes epidemic typhus and Brill-Zinsser disease. Brill-Zinsser disease is a mild form of epidemic typhus. It occurs when the disease re-activates in a person who was previously infected. It is more common in the elderly.

• Review Date: 9/25/2006
• Reviewed By: Charlotte Grayson, MD, Private Practice specializing in Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease, Smyrna, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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