Epidemic Louse-Borne Typhus Fever
什么是Epidemic Louse-Borne Typhus Fever？
Epidemic louse-borne typhus fever is one of three versions of the disease typhus, caused by three different bacteria in the Rickettsia genus, i.e, Rickettsia prowazekii, Rickettsia typhi, and Orientsia tsutsugamushi. Louse-borne typhus is caused by Rickettsia prowazekii. This disease usually occurs primarily in cold climates where human infestation with lice may occur and usually where groups of people are crowded together with poor sanitation and malnutrition.
The risk for travellers of acquiring epidemic louse-borne typhus fever is low, however, this risk is increased for those who may live and work in remote areas (anthropologists, archeologists, geologists, medical personnel, missionaries).
如何获得Epidemic Louse-Borne Typhus Fever？
This disease is transmitted by infected body lice. When the louse bites, it defecates, and the disease is then transmitted to an uninfected person who scratches the bite and rubs the feces into the wound.
易感性和抗性
All people are potentially susceptible to epidemic louse-borne typhus. However, prior infection creates long lasting immunity.
症状是什么？
Epidemic typhus may begin with the sudden onset of severe headache, aches, chills and fever. A skin rash often appears on the 5th or 6th day of illness, usually on the upper part of the body. The rash then spreads to all parts of the body, except the palms and soles. The fever usually subsides after 2 weeks. Other symptoms include cough, light sensitivity, and delirium. Mild infections may occur, especially in children.
The disease may reappear as a mild illness years after the first infection. This is known as Brill-Zinsser Disease, and people with this disease will transmit the bacteria to any lice that bite them, possibly causing new outbreaks.
Without treatment, 10-40 percent of people with epidemic louse-borne typhus fever will die.
预防措施
没有预防流行性斑疹伤寒的疫苗或药物。避免虱子出没是预防流行性虱源性斑疹伤寒的最佳方法。避免与已知感染虱子的任何人直接接触。避免共用衣服，床上用品，毛巾和其他个人物品。定期洗澡和换衣服。可能需要使用化学杀虫剂熏蒸或除尘，以消除该区域的虱子。
处理
A single dose of doxycycline (200 mg.) will usually cure patients.
药物
它常见于哪里？
引起流行性斑疹伤寒的细菌（立克次氏体）由感染的虱子传播。因此，这种疾病可能会在发现虱子的任何地方发生，通常是在寒冷的气候下，如果不清洗被感染的衣服，就会发生这种疾病。该病最常见于墨西哥山区，中美洲和南美洲，非洲部分地区以及亚洲许多国家。这种疾病的爆发最常见于无家可归者，难民营以及遭受战争或自然灾害的地方。
