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Article: Typhus, Epidemic
- Article from:
- Encyclopedia of Public Health
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TYPHUS, EPIDEMIC
The word "typhus" comes from the Greek word for "cloudy" or "misty," referring to the lethargic state of mind that occurs in typhus victims. Epidemic, or louse-borne, typhus, is also known as historic typhus, European typhus, jail, war, camp, or ship fever.
Epidemic typhus is caused by
Rickettsia prowazekii
, a small gram-negative obligately intracellular bacterium. The disease starts with an abrupt onset of symptoms following a one to two week incubation period. Clinical manifestations of typhus include intense headache, chills, fever, and myalgia. A characteristic rash develops on the fourth to seventh day of disease. It first appears on the upper trunk and then ...