What is Scrub typhus?

March 5, 2023

Recently, a team of researchers from Christian Medical College in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, and PGIMER Chandigarh found that an antibiotic combo is best for severe scrub typhus.

About Scrub typhus:

  • Scrub typhus is a life-threatening infection caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi bacteria which is a major public health threat in South and Southeast Asia.
  • It is spread to people through bites of infected chiggers (larval mites).
  • Symptoms: The most common symptoms of scrub typhus include fever, headache, body aches, and sometimes rash.
  • Treatment: Scrub typhus should be treated with the antibiotic doxycycline. Doxycycline can be used in persons of any age.
  • There is no vaccine available for this disease.

What is Typhus fever?

  • Typhus fevers are a group of diseases caused by bacteria that include epidemic typhus, scrub typhus, and murine typhus.
    • Epidemic typhus is caused due to Rickettsia prowazeki and spread by body lice.
    • Scrub typhusis caused due to Orientia tsutsugamushi and spread by chiggers.
    • Murine typhusis caused due to Rickettsia typhi spread by fleas.

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