Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Definition
Typhus is an infectious disease caused by Rickettsia bacteria, typically transmitted through arthropod vectors such as lice, fleas, and mites. Symptoms include high fever, headache, muscle pain, and a characteristic rash.
Typhus is primarily spread through the bites of infected arthropods such as lice, fleas, and mites.
There are different types of typhus: epidemic typhus (caused by Rickettsia prowazekii), murine typhus (caused by Rickettsia typhi), and scrub typhus (caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi).
Epidemic typhus often occurs in areas with poor hygiene and overcrowding, making it more common during wars or natural disasters.
Early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics like doxycycline are crucial for reducing mortality rates associated with typhus.
Prevention methods include maintaining good personal hygiene, controlling rodent populations, and using insect repellents.