Tick
Typhus is transmitted to humans by ixodid ticks. An eschar
scar develops at the bite site and the rickettsia (small bacteria
like organism) incubates for about 1 week.A fever develops
with a maculopapular rash (which may be very small).
This
rash and eschar are very typical of tick typhus but often
this illness is confused with malaria or a traveler's diarrhea
infection.
A headache is also noted. Usually symptoms are mild but kidney,
liver and neurological damage can occur. Doxycycline is an
effective treatment and doxycycline when given daily for the
prevention of malaria will prevent typhus.
Infective ticks infest domestic and wild animals particularly
dogs in cities.
Walking
in brush is risky.
Preventative
measures for ticks include wearing the trouser cuffs inside
the socks, DEET use, sleeping on elevated cots and checking
each other for ticks.
Epidemic
typhus is more severe but rarer and is caused by human lice.
It is seen in poverty stricken areas (Rwanda, Uganda, and
Ethiopia). Travelers are unlikely to experience epidemic typhus
even if backpacking.
Tick Typhus links
cdc http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/
submenus/sub_typhus.htm |
