Epidemic Typhus

Epidemic typhus, also known as louse-borne typhus or simply typhus, is a serious infectious disease caused by the bacterium Rickettsia prowazekii. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected body lice (Pediculus humanus corporis) that have fed on the blood of an infected person. Epidemic typhus occurs in outbreaks or epidemics, typically in crowded and unhygienic conditions, and is associated with poor sanitation, poverty, and war.

Epidemic typhus is characterized by high fever, severe headache, rash, and muscle aches. The symptoms typically start suddenly and may be severe. Other common symptoms include chills, rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, confusion, and in severe cases, delirium, coma, and death. The rash in epidemic typhus typically begins on the chest and spreads to other parts of the body, and it may be accompanied by small red spots (petechiae) or larger areas of bleeding under the skin (ecchymoses).

Epidemic typhus can be diagnosed based on clinical symptoms, medical history, and laboratory testing. Laboratory tests such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), immunofluorescence assays, and serology may be used to confirm the presence of Rickettsia prowazekii in blood samples.

Our Epidemic Typhus Test Package Includes: