Scrub Typhus: In 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- It is treated with doxycycline, which is most effective when administered early.
- There is no vaccine available for this disease.
- 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.
