Ishita Roy

Kerala Man Reports Case Of Murine Typhus, Here Is What You Need To Know

flea infection

A 75-year-old Kerala man who had recently travelled to Vietnam and Cambodia has been diagnosed with a rare bacterial infection murine typhus.

The man complained of body pain and fatigue and sought medical attention on September 8. However, the rat-induced and flea-borne disease tests did not yield any results, though his liver and kidney were deteriorating. Looking at his travel history, the doctors suspected the case of typhus. This is the first case of this rare bacterial infection in the state.

It is a bacterial infection and caused by bacteria Rickettsia typhi. It is spread through the contact with infected fleas, Oriental rat flea and the cat flea being the most common ones. Flea can become infected once they bite infected animals like rat, cat and opossums and then they remain infected for the rest of their lives. If the same flea bites a person, the bite breaks the skin and causes a wound. Their excreta or flea dirt also contains bacteria, which can be unintentionally rubbed on wounds or people can breathe the flea dirt, this can cause infections.

This is common in tropical, subtropical and temperate climates around countries in Southeast Asia, Africa, Central and South America, Southern Europe, and Central Asia. Even in the United States, southern California, Hawaii, and southern Texas report most cases. 

The signs usually begin within 3 to 14 days of being infected. The common symptoms are:

<ul><li>Fever and chills</li><li>Body ache and muscle pain</li><li>Headache</li><li>Loss of appetite</li><li>Nausea</li><li>Vomiting</li><li>Stomach pain</li><li>Cough</li><li>Rash</li></ul>

While there are severe illness too, but deaths are rare and have been estimated to less than 1% of all the cases. The best way to resolve it is with appropriate antibiotics. 

Try keep fleas off your pets, keep rodents and wild animals away from your home workplace, and recreational areas. 

Health Conditions A-Z

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bacterial infection

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A 75-year-old Kerala man who had recently travelled to Vietnam and Cambodia has been diagnosed with a rare bacterial infection murine typhus. The man complained of body pain and fatigue and sought medical attention on September 8. However, the rat-induced and flea-borne disease tests did not yield any results, though his liver and kidney were deteriorating. Looking at his travel history, the doctors suspected the case of typhus. This is the first case of this rare bacterial infection in the state. What Is Murine Typhus?It is a bacterial infection and caused by bacteria Rickettsia typhi. It is spread through the contact with infected fleas, Oriental rat flea and the cat flea being the most common ones. Flea can become infected once they bite infected animals like rat, cat and opossums and then they remain infected for the rest of their lives. If the same flea bites a person, the bite breaks the skin and causes a wound. Their excreta or flea dirt also contains bacteria, which can be unintentionally rubbed on wounds or people can breathe the flea dirt, this can cause infections.This is common in tropical, subtropical and temperate climates around countries in Southeast Asia, Africa, Central and South America, Southern Europe, and Central Asia. Even in the United States, southern California, Hawaii, and southern Texas report most cases. Signs And SymptomsThe signs usually begin within 3 to 14 days of being infected. The common symptoms are:Fever and chillsBody ache and muscle painHeadacheLoss of appetiteNauseaVomitingStomach painCoughRashPrevention And CureWhile there are severe illness too, but deaths are rare and have been estimated to less than 1% of all the cases. The best way to resolve it is with appropriate antibiotics. Try keep fleas off your pets, keep rodents and wild animals away from your home workplace, and recreational areas. 