How to Prevent Typhus

Typhus is a term associated with an assortment of illnesses caused by a bacterial family called rickettsiae. There are approximately 37 different ricketsial conditions; however, the most common types are Brill-Zinsser Disease, epidemic typhus, endemic typhus and scrub typhus. All forms of this illness are caused by louse-born bacteria and cause symptoms such as high fever, body ache and weakness. Epidemic typhus can result in a body rash and can even cause heart and brain swelling, making it the most fatal of the four. Typhus is a serious and dangerous condition, but it is also preventable. The following are five simple ways to avoid acquiring any of the typhus ailments.

Things You'll Need

• Antibiotics Insecticide

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Instructions

• 1

  Avoid areas where there is a known typhus outbreak. It is less common in the United States, with only 15 reported cases of epidemic typhus on record. Africa, Central America and China have been known to host populations of epidemic typhus. Endemic typhus can occur anywhere, but especially in tropical and warm-weather locations. Scrub typhus can be found in Australia, the West Pacific and Malaysia. These locations need not be avoided all the time, but heeding warnings of area breakouts is always a good idea.

• 2

  Avoid overcrowded living conditions. Because typhus is transmitted by insects that are difficult to control such as lice, mites and fleas, the disease has the ability to spread with extreme swiftness. Areas of the world that are overpopulated tend to have outbreaks of typhus. Although this is not the only factor that leads to an outbreak, it does do a fair amount to promote a quick circulation of the disease.

• 3

  Spray for fleas, ticks, lice and mites. Typhus is transmitted when infected insects prey on humans and animals. The disease can be found in the fecal mater of the insects. When the human scratches at the insect bites, the bacteria makes its way into their system. Controlling populations of these infestations with insecticides can rapidly decrease the chances of the spread of typhus. Efforts to control the rodent population are helpful as well.

• 4

  Practice good hygiene. Prison camps and other facilities that promote sub-standard living conditions have historically been large rickettsiae breeders. World War II concentrations camps like Bergen Belson and Terezin were overwrought with typhus and a large part of the mortality rate in these places was due to the illness. Lack of hygiene promotes conditions such as body and head lice, which breed the disease. Wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants can also help prevent the spread of typhus.

• 5

  Take antibiotics. Although the mortality rate of the disease is between 10 and 60 percent, these numbers can be drastically reduced if antibiotics are administered in the early stages of the illness. Doctors prescribe doxycycline and chloramphenical to eradicate the bacteria and cure the patient.