Overview

Typhus is an infection spread by lice, fleas or mites. It's found in many countries, It can be serious, but most people make a full recovery if treated quickly.

Title
Typhus

Symptoms

Symptoms of typhus include:

  • headache
  • very high temperature (usually around 40C)
  • nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea
  • dry cough
  • tummy pain
  • joint pain
  • backache
  • a dark spotty rash on your chest that may spread to the rest of your body (apart from your face, palms of your hands and soles of your feet)
Treatment

You may have a blood test or skin biopsy to check if you have typhus.

Antibiotics are used to treat the infection. They're usually started before you get your test result, as this can take up to a week.

Most people start to feel better within 48 hours of starting treatment. It's important to keep taking your antibiotics until they're finished, even if you feel better.

People with severe typhus may need to be treated in hospital.

Self-help

There's no vaccine to prevent typhus, but you can reduce the risk of getting infected.

Do

  • wear insect spray and long-sleeved shirts and trousers
  • wash and shower regularly
  • wash and change your clothes regularly
  • speak to your GP if you're travelling to an area where typhus is a problem