Frequently Asked Questions
Typhus Fever
1. What is typhus fever?
 Typhus fever is a disease caused by a bacterium (Rickettsia Prowazekii), that occurs in the world where people and rodents occupy
the same buildings and living environments.
2. Who can get typhus fever?
 Anyone can get typhus but it occurs more often in people whose occupations or living conditions bring them into contact with rodents.
3. How do you get typhus fever?
 Typhus fever can not be transmitted from person to person. People get typhus after infective rodent fleas contaminate frsh skin
wounds or the flea bite site.
4. How quickly can I get sick after being exposed?
 Symptoms may appear from 1 to 2 weeks after the flea bite, and it may become evident after 12 days.
5. What are the signs and symptoms?
 Patients usually have fever, headache, and some people might develop a dry hacking cough. Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal
pain, and chills may also occur. A rash may develop after 4 to 6 days. Without early treatment, typhus fever usually leads to death.
6. Can a person get infected more than once?
 No. A person can not get typhus fever more than once.
7. How is typhus fever diagnosed?
 The first step is evaluation by a health worker. If the health worker suspects typhus fever, samples of the patient’s blood, are sent to a
laboratory for testing. Once the laboratory receives the sample, preliminary results can be ready in less than two hours. Confirmation
will take longer, usually 24 to 48 hours.
8. What animals carry this disease?
 Such rodents as flying squirrels, opossums, raccoons, skunks, cats and rats are animals that can be infected with the disease.
9. Can a person exposed to typhus fever avoid getting sick?

Yes. People should avoid areas where rodent fleas might be encountered. Good sanitation and public health measures reduce the
rodent population .
10. Can typhus fever be treated?
 Yes. To prevent a high risk of death, antibiotics should be given within the first 24 hours of the first symptoms.
11. Are antibiotics available?
 Yes. National and state public health officials have large supplies of drugs needed in the event of an outbreak. Supplies can be sent
anywhere in the United States within 12 hours.
12. How do I reduce my risk of getting typhus fever?
 [INSERT CURRENT LOCAL INFORMATION]
13. What do I do if I have been exposed or someone I know has?
 [INSERT CURRENT LOCAL INFORMATION]
 Get immediate medical attention: To prevent illness, a person who has been exposed to typhus fever must receive antibiotic
treatment without delay. If an exposed person becomes ill, antibiotics must be administered within 24 hours of the first symptoms to
reduce the risk of death.
 Notify Authorities: Immediately notify local or state health departments so they can begin to investigate and control the problem right
away. If bioterrorism is suspected, the health departments will notify the CDC, FBI, and other appropriate authorities.
14. Is there a vaccine available?
 No. Currently there is no vaccine available in the United States. Research is in progress, but we are not likely to have a vaccine for
several years.