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Typhus

Alternative Names: Murine typhus; Epidemic typhus; Endemic typhus; Brill-Zinsser disease; Jail fever Symptoms: SYMPTOMS OF MURINE TYPHUS: headache backache arthralgia fever, extremely high (105 to 106 degrees Fahrenheit) and may last up to two weeks rash that begins on the trunk and spreads peripherally (The rash is made up of dull-red macules that may become slightly papular after the initial appearance may last only a few hours.) nausea and vomiting in most patients hacking, dry cough abdominal pain SYMPTOMS OF EPIDEMIC TYPHUS: severe headache fever, high (104 degrees Fahrenheit) cough in 70% of patients arthralgia and myalgia, (muscle pain) severe chills falling blood pressure stupor delirium rash that begins on chest and spreads to rest of trunk and extremities, but not to palms and soles early rash is faint and rose colored and fades with pressure (Later the lesions become dull, red, and do not fade. People with severe typhus may also develop petechiae.) lights appear very bright, and exposure to light may hurt the eyes Text Continues Below Signs and tests: CBC may show anemia and low platelets low serum sodium low albumin levels in the blood mildly increased liver enzymes mild renal failure antibody tests to typhus should be elevated

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