Scrub Typhus

Scrub Typhus Latest News

A Gulf Keralite’s impulsive decision to return home to treat a persistent fever turned out to be life-saving after he was diagnosed with scrub typhus — a potentially fatal infection that requires early treatment.

About Scrub Typhus

• It is an infectious disease caused by bacteria called Orientia tsutsugamushi.
• It is transmitted through infected chiggers (young mites).
• Several factors, like vector abundance, climatic factors, exposures like farming and owning domestic animals, outdoor activities and sanitation, affect its prevalence.
• This disease is more prevalent in cooler months.
• It will not spread from person to person.
• Symptoms:
  • The symptoms typically include fever, headache, body ache, and sometimes a rash.
  • In severe cases, the infection can lead to respiratory distress, brain and lung inflammation, kidney failure, and multi-organ failure, ultimately resulting in death.
• Treatment: 
  • It is treated with doxycycline, which is most effective when administered early.
  • There is no vaccine available for this disease.

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Key Facts about Typhus Fever

• Typhus (or typhus fever) is the name used for several different types of bacterial infections spread by bug bites that cause similar symptoms, like high fever and rash. 
• These symptoms can be severe and lead to serious complications if left untreated.
• There are three types of illnesses commonly called typhus:
  • Epidemic Typhus: It is caused by Rickettsia prowazeki and it is spread to people through contact with infected body lice. 
  • Scrub Typhus: It is caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi and spread by chiggers.
  • Murine Typhus: It is caused by Rickettsia typhi spread by fleas. It occurs in tropical and subtropical climates around the world.

Source: NIE