What is Typhus?
Typhus is a disease caused by rickettsia or orientia bacteria. You can catch it through infected mites, fleas, or lice. Although modern hygiene has mostly eliminated typhus, it can still occur in areas where basic sanitation is lacking or when it is spread by an infected animal. Typhus does not transmit from person to person; hence it is not contagious. People who live in locations where there are current typhus outbreaks, on the other hand, are at risk of contracting the disease due to the presence of fleas, lice, or chiggers, which spread the bacteria.
What is a flea-borne typhus?
Rickettsia typhi, often known as endemic or murine typhus or flea-borne typhus, is a bacteria that causes typhus in fleas. People contract the flea-borne typhus after coming into contact with infected fleas and when contaminated flea feces are rubbed into cuts or scrapes on the skin. Flea-borne typhus is a disease that affects rats and their fleas in tropical and subtropical areas around the world.
Rats are the primary animal hosts for fleas infected with the flea-borne typhus in most parts of the world. In the United States, cat fleas discovered on domestic cats and opossums have been linked to cases of flea-borne typhus. In the United States, the majority of cases are documented in California, Hawaii, and Texas.
Unlike ticks, which are known for transmitting Lyme disease to dogs and humans, fleas don’t appear to be as dangerous. The microscopic bloodsuckers are mostly seen as a nuisance for pets and humans, rather than a major threat to anyone’s health.
Fleas, on the other hand, can spread a startling number of diseases to both animals and people.
Flea bite diseases can be itchy, unpleasant, and frightening for both humans and animals. A flea infestation is more likely to happen if you have a pet, but it isn’t just pet owners who are at danger.
Fleas can get into your house through any fabric or fur. Their short reproduction cycle means they can quickly become a nuisance once inside the house.
Flea-borne typhus symptoms
Flea-borne typhus symptoms appear two weeks following encounters with infected fleas. Headache, fever, nausea, and bodily aches are all symptoms of typhus. A rash that starts on the trunk of your body and extends to your arms and legs may appear five or six days after the initial symptoms.
If you suspect you have flea-borne typhus, consult a doctor right away. Antibiotics can be used to treat the infection, but if you wait too long, you may need to be admitted to the hospital. If left untreated, the disease may linger for several months.
Avoiding close contact with fleas is the key to avoiding flea-borne typhus. Remember these two things to minimize your chances of contracting a flea-borne typhus.
- Keep fleas away from your pets, your yard, and your home. Flea treatment, both oral and topical, is commonly accessible for dogs. Flea-control mists, sprays, and powders should also be used to keep yards and houses flea-free.
- Keep yards free from wildlife – To prevent animals from entering and living in yards and homes, they should be kept clean and in good repair. Check for any cracks or nesting spots where animals could enter and live and have professionals exclude your home. Lawns should be trimmed and debris or other things should be removed. Feral cats, opossums, and other animals can be attracted to trash cans and other food sources (accessible pet food).