Typhus
A colleague notified me that the Alabama Medical Board sent out an alert to all doctors in the state about Typhus. This is a step closer to recognizing Long-Lyme as a true disease entity.
Typhus is a serious infectious disease caused by Rickettsia bacteria. It's spread by lice, chiggers, fleas, or mites, depending on the type. There are several forms, with the most common being:
🧬 Types of Typhus
Epidemic typhus (Rickettsia prowazekii)
Spread by body lice.
Often occurs in crowded or unsanitary conditions (e.g. refugee camps, prisons).
Historically deadly during wars and famines.
Endemic (murine) typhus (Rickettsia typhi)
Spread by fleas, usually from rats.
Milder than epidemic typhus.
Scrub typhus (Orientia tsutsugamushi)
Spread by mites (chiggers).
Common in rural areas of Asia-Pacific (aka the "tsutsugamushi triangle").
⚠️ Symptoms
Typically begin 1–2 weeks after infection:
Sudden high fever
Headache
Rash (often starts on trunk, spreads outward)
Muscle aches
Confusion or delirium (in severe cases)
Nausea or vomiting
🧪 Diagnosis
Clinical symptoms
Blood tests (e.g. PCR, antibody IgM, IgG detection)
Travel and exposure history are crucial for diagnosis
💊 Treatment
Doxycycline is the antibiotic of choice.
Start treatment early for the best outcomes.
Alternatives (for pregnancy or allergy): chloramphenicol (rarely used today).
Botanical tinctures and remedies:
Neem Leaves: May help combat infections due to their antibacterial properties.
Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia): Known for its ability to boost immunity and reduce fever.
Tulsi (Holy Basil): May strengthen the body's natural defenses.
Andrographis: This herb may have antimicrobial effects that support faster recovery.
Ginger and Turmeric: These agents can be included in the diet or consumed as herbal teas to help with inflammation and fever.
🔒 Prevention
Avoid contact with lice, fleas, and mites. Careful when in areas overrun with mice.
Improve sanitation and personal hygiene.
Use insect repellents and protective clothing in endemic areas.
Rodent control is essential for murine typhus.
Is this the same Typhus they tried to kill with the Zyklon B??