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  • Breadcrumb

    1. Home
    2. Health and wellbeing
    3. Illnesses and conditions
    4. A to Z

    Typhus

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

    Symptoms of typhus

    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)

    How you get typhus

    You can catch typhus if you're bitten by infected lice, mites or fleas.

    These are often found on small animals like mice, rats, cats and squirrels.

    People can also carry them on their clothes, skin or hair.

    Typhus is mainly a problem in parts of Africa, South America and Asia where living standards and hygiene levels are poor, especially in:

    • overcrowded places like travel hostels
    • places with lots of bushes and grassland

    How to lower the risk of typhus when travelling

    There's no vaccine to prevent typhus.

    But there are things you can do to reduce the risk of getting infected, these include:

    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

    Don't

    • stay in overcrowded places where there might be lice or fleas, if possible
    • wear clothing or use bedding that might be infected with body lice
    • go near animals like mice, rats, cats and squirrels

    When to get medical advice

    You should get medical advice if you have symptoms of typhus and:

    • you've recently returned from abroad
    • you're travelling abroad

    Check your travel insurance for how to get medical help while you're away, or check the health information and advice for the country you're visiting.

    It's important to get diagnosed early, so treatment can be started as soon as possible.

    If typhus isn't treated quickly, it can sometimes be life-threatening.

    Treatment for typhus

    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.

    More useful links

    • How to use your health services

    The information on this page has been adapted from original content from the NHS website.

    For further information see terms and conditions.

    Health conditions A to Z

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