Typhus
Alternative Names
Murine typhus; Epidemic typhus; Endemic typhus; Brill-Zinsser disease; Jail feverSymptoms
Symptoms of murine typhus may include:
- Headache
- Backache
- Arthralgia
- Extremely high fever (105 to 106 degrees Fahrenheit), which may last up to 2 weeks
- Dull red rash that begins on middle of the body and spreads
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Hacking, dry cough
- Abdominal pain
Symptoms of endemic typhus may include:
- Severe headache
- High fever (104 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Cough
- Arthralgia
- Severe muscle pain ( myalgia)
- Chills
- Low blood pressure
- Stupor
- Delirium
- Lights appear very bright; light may hurt the eyes
- Rash that begins on chest and spreads to the rest of the body (except the palms of the hands and soles of the feet)
The early rash is a light rose color and fades when you press on it. Later, the rash becomes dull and red and does not fade. People with severe typhus may also develop petechiae.
Exams and Tests
A CBC may show anemia and low platelets. Other blood tests for typhus may show:
- Low sodium level
- Low level of albumin
- Mildly high liver enzymes
- Mild kidney failure
- High level of typhus antibodies
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