Epidemic typhus, or exanthematic typhus, is a bacterial disease caused by Rickettsia prowazekii; and whose vector is the human louse: Pediculus humanus. These parasites develop inside the lice's intestinal cells which, when they defecate, release them; and come into contact with the individual's body through wounds and cracks located in the skin, often generated by the person themselves, while scratching.
Rickettsiae are obligate intracellular parasites, as are viruses; but, as they present more complex structures, they are not classified as such. Thus, after infecting their host, they lodge inside tissues that line the blood vessels. In up to 14 days, symptoms appear suddenly, which include pain in the body, head and joints; extreme fatigue, chills, high fever and appearance of red spots all over the body. Delusions and hemorrhagic rashes may also present.
It is a highly contagious disease – typical of human agglomerations – combined with poor hygiene conditions. For this reason, it is more frequent in needy populations, refugee and concentration camps, prisons, times of war, etc. It was the cause of many deadly epidemics; and, despite significant advances in terms of basic sanitation, outbreaks still occur in countries in Asia, Africa and South America. In Brazil, there are no records of its occurrence.
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If the person does not seek medical help in time, they can develop complications such as gangrene, pneumonia, kidney failure and Brill-Zinsser disease, which affects the immune system. Furthermore, it can cause death in approximately 40% of cases.
Treatment is mainly based on antibiotics prescribed by the doctor.
THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH WARNS:
Self-medication can have unwanted and unanticipated effects, as the wrong medicine not only does not cure, it can worsen your health.
By Mariana Araguaia
Graduated in Biology
Brazil School Team
Diseases Caused by Bacteria -Illnesses -Brazil School
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
ARAGUAIA, Mariana. "Epidemic (or exanthematic) typhus"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/doencas/tifo-epidemico-ou-exantematico.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.
