Definition- What is typhus?
Spotted fever is an infectious disease that is transmitted by bacteria. The bacterial species is called Rickettsia and is transmitted by various parasites such as lice, mites, fleas or ticks. Spotted fever occurs mainly in the Andes region in South America, Africa and Southeast Asia.
In Germany, typhus is extremely rare. The eponymous symptoms include a sudden onset of a severe fever and a large spotted rash on the skin all over the body. Headaches and muscle aches are also common. The treatment consists of the administration of antibiotics.
Where does typhus occur?
Spotted fever occurs mainly in regions with a low standard of hygiene and a high population. It occurs in the area of the Andes in South America. Accordingly, the countries Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and Chile are affected.
Furthermore, typhus fever occurs in Central and West Africa and in parts of Southeast Asia. In recent years, the countries Burundi, Rwanda and Ethiopia have been the most affected by typhus fever. In Germany and Europe in general, typhus is extremely rare due to the good hygiene situation.
How contagious is this?
Spotted fever is caused by the bacterial species Rickettsia and is transmitted to humans by various parasites. These include lice, especially clothes lice, mites, ticks and fleas. These are mainly found in environments with many people and poor hygiene conditions.
The bacteria are excreted in the feces of the parasites. They can enter the body through a louse bite and subsequent scratching or, less frequently, be absorbed through the air. Accordingly, spotted fever is highly contagious when the bacteria are present and the disease can spread explosively fast. In addition, when the patient is bitten again by a parasite during the fever, the bacteria return and can be transmitted to other people.
Causes
Spotted fever is an infectious disease and is therefore caused by a pathogen. This pathogen is the bacterial species Rickettsia, which reproduces in lice, especially clothes lice, mites, ticks and fleas. It is excreted in the feces of the parasites.
If, for example, the louse bites a person and the person scratches himself, the bacteria in the feces are rubbed off and can enter the body through the wound. Occasionally they can also be inhaled through the air. In the body of the infected person, the bacteria spread through the blood and cause inflammation and various symptoms.
