Typhus Fevers

Marjan Jahani Kondori, MPH, MD and Keith L Stelter, MD Reviewed 05/2023

BASICS

An infectious disease syndrome caused by several species of Rickettsia resulting in acute, chronic, and recurrent disease

Typhus syndromes are rare in the United States. A high level of clinical suspicion is necessary.

Travel or other risk exposure

Initiate treatment based on epidemiologic risk and clinical presentation.

Admit severely ill patients.
If treated as an outpatient, ensure regular follow-up to assess clinical improvement and resolution.

As tolerated...

CDC. Typhus. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/typhus/ (accessed 11 March 2023)

Afzal Z, Kallumadanda S, Wang F, et al. Acute febrile illness and complications d...

Consider typhus (along with malaria and dengue) in febrile travelers returning from endemic areas.
Rickettsial infections typically present within 2 to 14 days. Febrile illnesses presen...

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