About this topic
Typhus fever is an infection caused by a germ. Fleas and lice transfer their germs when they bite our skin. You can also get the germ from the stool of infected fleas and lice. Sometimes, dust contains this material. The germ infects your blood and muscles. It can damage your tissues and cause serious health problems. If this is not treated, death may occur. ‚
This illness is treated with drugs. You may also need extra fluids and oxygen until you start to feel better. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Your doctor will give you drugs to treat the infection and help with pain. Take the whole course of your drugs. Do not skip doses.
- Drink 6 to 8 glasses of liquids each day. This will help prevent fluid loss.
- Avoid picking your wound scabs. Let them fall off on their own.
- Suck on ice chips or lozenges to help with throat pain from too much coughing.
- Put a cool mist humidifier in your room to keep your throat and air passages moist.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your condition needs close monitoring. Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Fight an infection
- Lower fever
- Help with pain
Will physical activity be limited?
The signs of typhus fever can affect your daily activities. Get plenty of rest. Sleep when you are feeling tired. Avoid doing tiring activities. Ask your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
If you have been throwing up, start with clear liquids. If you keep those down, slowly start to eat mild, softer foods such as crackers, toast, or applesauce. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Body tissue dies
- Kidney problems
- Lung problems
- Lung infection
- Brain damage
- Nerve damage
- Death
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- If you see a tick on your skin, remove the tick right away. Use tweezers and carefully remove the tick by using steady pressure. Do not twist or jerk the tick so the entire tick comes out. Do not squeeze it. Clean the area on your skin with alcohol after it is removed. Put the tick in a jar or Ziploc bag in the freezer if your doctor suggests you keep it for tests. Otherwise, flush the tick down the toilet.
- Protect yourself from ticks and fleas.
- Wear long pants and shirts or jackets with long sleeves when in wooded areas.
- Tuck pants into socks or boots.
- Use an insect repellent when going outside. Check the label to make sure it has 10% to 30% DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-tolumide).
- Protect your pets from ticks and fleas by using special collars, drugs, or shampoos.
- Spray insect repellent to get rid of ticks and fleas around your home.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when going to dusty places.
- If your work involves cleaning dirty houses and old buildings where stray animals with fleas or lice may live, wear proper protective clothing.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills
- Pain not relieved by drugs
- Changes in behavior
- Rash or dark bite mark
- Problems breathing or swallowing
- Reddening or swelling in your legs or arms that will not heal and seems to be getting worse
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what changes I need to make with my drugs or activities.
- I can tell you ways to help prevent this infection.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever, pain, or trouble breathing or swallowing.
Where can I learn more?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2012/chapter-3-infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/rickettsial-spotted-and-typhus-fevers-and-related-infections-anaplasmosis-and-ehrlichiosis.htm ‚
World Health Organization ‚
http://www.who.int/ith/diseases/typhusfever/en/index.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚