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Typhus |
| Typhus Classification and external resources |
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| Rash caused by Epidemic typhus. | |
| ICD-10 | A75. |
| ICD-9 | 080-083 |
| DiseasesDB | 29240 |
| MedlinePlus | 001363 |
| eMedicine | med/2332 |
| MeSH | D014438 |
Typhus is any of several similar diseases caused by Rickettsiae1 The name comes from the Greek typhos, meaning smoky or hazy, describing the state of mind of those affected with typhus. The causative organism Rickettsia is an obligate parasite and cannot survive for long outside living cells. Typhus should not be confused with Typhoid Fever which is a completely different disease.
Multiple diseases include the word "typhus" in their description. Types include:
| Condition | Bacterium | Arthropod | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epidemic typhus | Rickettsia prowazekii | lice on humans | When the term "typhus" is used without qualification, this is usually the condition meant. Also, historical references to "typhus" are now generally considered to be this condition. |
| Murine typhus or "endemic typhus" | Rickettsia typhi | fleas on rats | - |
| Scrub typhus | Orientia tsutsugamushi | harvest mites on humans or rodents | Unlike the two conditions above, though it has the word "typhus" in the name, it is currently usually not classified in the typhus group, but in the closely related spotted fever group.2 |
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