Rickettsia prowazekii Typhus Fever
By: Anthony Fitzgerald
How it spreads? What causes it?
Typhus fevers are caused by the rickettsiae bacteria and transmitted by arthropod (e.g. flea, mite, tick) bites. When arthropods bite a victim, they leave the rickettsaie bacteria behind. Scratching the bite opens the skin to the bacteria, allowing them to enter the bloodstream. Within the blood stream, the bacteria grow and replicate.
What are the symptoms?
- Abdominal pain
- Backache
- Dull red rash that begins on the middle of the body and spreads
- Extremely high fever (105 - 106 degrees Fahrenheit), which may last up to 2 weeks
- Hacking, dry cough
- Headache
- Joint and muscle pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Most common Prey
- age
- Male gender
- Alcoholism
where is it mostly found
The Rocky Mountain and Fleas
Most effective weapons against this bacteria
- Doxycycline
- Tetracycline
- Chloramphenicol (less common)
The most victims die in a year
50,000,000 in a year