Typhus Fevers Basics

At a glance

  • Typhus fevers are a group of diseases caused by bacteria that are spread to humans by fleas, lice, and chiggers.
  • Typhus fevers include murine typhus, epidemic typhus and scrub typhus.
  • Fleas spread murine typhus, body lice spread epidemic typhus, and chiggers spread scrub typhus.
  • The most common symptoms are fever, headaches, and sometimes rash.
Person sick in bed with thermometer.

Overview

Murine Typhus

Murine typhus, also called flea-borne typhus is a disease caused by the bacteria Rickettsia typhi. Murine typhus is spread to people through contact with infected fleas, most commonly the Oriental rat flea (Xenopsylla cheopsis) and the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis).

Keep Reading: About Murine typhus

Epidemic Typhus

Epidemic typhus, also called louse-borne typhus, is an uncommon disease caused by bacteria called Rickettsia prowazekii. Epidemic typhus is spread to people through contact with infected body lice.

Keep Reading: Epidemic Typhus

Scrub Typhus

Scrub typhus, also known as bush typhus, is a disease caused by bacteria called Orientia tsutsugamushi. Scrub typhus is spread to people through bites of infected chiggers (larval mites).

Keep Reading: About Scrub Typhus
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Content Source:
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)