What is Scrub Typhus, Symptoms, Types, Testing, Prevention and Treatment

Scrub typhus has been identified as the cause of the mystery fever that has afflicted over 25 people in Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh. Symptoms of infection were discovered when the medical teams in the Mathura district collected samples from residents of Koh village following complaints of infection. Several parts of India, including Jammu to Nagaland, suffer scrub typhus outbreaks, according to the National Health Portal (NHP). Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Darjeeling reported outbreaks during 2003-04 and 2007. So here are the details about the Scrub Typhus

Scrub Typhus:

Scrub Typhus is a rare, acute infectious disease transmitted to humans by bites from chiggers or mites infected with the Rickettsia parasite. The disease is caused by the Rickettsia parasite family. Scrub Typhus is caused by a bacteria called Orientia tsutsugamushi that is part of the Rickettsiaceae family. Among the causative agents of scrub typhus is the bacteria R.tsutsugamushi. Leptotrophidium (Trombicula) akamushi and Leptotrophidium deliens will remain as vectors. Alternatively, Scrub Typhus is referred to as Bush Typhus.

Scrub Typhus and Its Origin:

Southeast Asia is the origin of Scrub Typhus. Scientists initially set out to investigate scrub typhus in 1906-1932, after first describing it in 1899. As a result of this disease, thousands of Japanese soldiers were killed during World War II. The Pacific region was greatly impacted by Scrub Typhus.

Various types of Typhus:

Usually caused by rickettsia or orientia bacteria, the Typus is a bacterial infection. A human being gets infected with typhus by being bitten by an infected mite, flea, or lice. Three different types of Typhus exist. Here are the details:

Murine Typhus

Mostly, it is caused by fleabites and rat bites. U.S. cases account for the majority of all reported cases.

Epidemic Typhus

The disease is also called louse-borne typhus. Infections caused by infected lice bodies are one of the rarest forms of spread. In a different form of epidemic typhus, squirrels carry the disease.

Scrub Typhus

Infected chiggers and mites are the main vectors of scrub typhus. Southeast Asia, China, Japan, India, and Northern Australia are among the regions where many cases have been reported.

Scrub Typhus: How Does It Spread?

Unlike a cold or cough, Scrub Typhus cannot be passed on from person to person. In their early stages, mite larvae are exposed to Orientia tsutsugamushi bacteria. By feeding on the blood from human beings, an infected louse, flea, tick, or mite transmits scrub typhus. Ten to twelve days are needed for the infection to spread to other parts of the body.

Several children who were scalded by tsutsugamushi scrub recovered quickly. Affected adults will soon become malnourished. Orientia tsutsugamushi can pose a huge risk to people with diabetes, alcoholism, and renal disease. Mortality rates rise as a result. It is estimated that epidemic typhus can result in a mortality rate of between 10 and 60 per cent. Scrub typhus, on the other hand, can result in a mortality rate of 30 per cent untreated.

What are the symptoms of Scrub Typhus:

Within two weeks, someone with scrub typhus will exhibit symptoms. Symptoms such as those below can be absorbed by them.

• Fever
• Chills
• Headache
• Muscular pain
• Body pain
• Red or pink rashes
• Loss of appetite
• Stomach Pain
• Vomiting
• Enlarged lymph nodes

The infected person will not begin to develop symptoms until 10 to 12 days after biting a mite that was infected. As the infection progresses, red or pink spots, caused by typhus eschar, appear. An individual experiencing typhus fever scrub, headache, chills, and general pain will also experience swelling of the lymph glands. Within a week, the trunk develops a pinkish rash that spreads to the arms and legs. One or two weeks may be necessary to treat these symptoms. The cause may not be determined in the first two or three weeks at the unusual stage. In severe cases, there may be bleeding or damage to organs as a result of impaired heart and circulatory function.

Testing and Diagnosis of Scrub Typhus:

Since the symptoms of scrub typhus can be confused with those of other diseases such as Dengue, Malaria, or Brucellosis, Scrub Typhus is quite difficult to diagnose. 

Diagnostic tests, such as essential blood tests and biopsy sessions, are necessary for determining the patient's health. 

Testing for Scrub Typhus

Here are some test procedures that can be utilized to determine if the tsutsugamushi scrub has an infection.

• Skin Biopsy: Selected samples of infected skin are sent for testing
• Western Blot: Testing for the presence of typhus in infected skin
• Immunofluorescence Test: A technician measures typhus antigen from serum taken from the blood of infected people using fluorescent dyes
• Bacteria from infected bloodstreams can be detected with other blood tests.

Treatment for Scrub Typhus:

The disease scrub typhus can be cured. The only treatment required is simple scrub typhus treatment, a few weeks of care, and medication. The ideal antibiotic is Doxycycline, which can be prescribed to a wide range of age groups. Those who can't take Doxycycline may benefit from Ciprofloxacin. A pregnant woman cannot be prescribed chloramphenicol, but it provides fast recovery as well.

What are the complications of Scrub Typhus?

Additionally, someone who has been treated for Scrub Typhus may experience complications like Hepatitis, Gastrointestinal Haemorrhage, and Hypovolemia.

What are the Prevention Methods for Scrub Typhus?

• Tsutsugamushi scrub does not have a vaccine.
• For the prevention of typhus eschar, the best method is to apply insect repellent.
• In order to avoid becoming infected with Tsutsugamushi scrub chiggers, one must avoid contact with them.
• Personal hygiene should be maintained.
• Controlling rodent populations is possible through appropriate measures.
• It is strongly recommended to avoid travelling to the affected area.
• Make sure chiggers are not attracting the attention of your family and friends by using insect repellent that has been registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Following product, instructions are always recommended. Replenishes insect repellent according to directions. Wearing repellent under your clothes is should be avoided. Sunscreen should be applied before insect repellent if you are also using it.
• For Children and babies: Cover your child's crib, stroller, and baby carrier with mosquito netting, or dress them in clothing that covers their arms and legs. Apply insect repellent not to irritated skin or cuts, or to children's hands, eyes, or mouths. Apply insect repellent to the child's face by spraying it on your hands.
• For Adults: Consider treating clothing and equipment with 0.5% permethrin or buying permethrin-treated items. In addition to treating boots, clothing, and camping equipment, permethrin also kills chiggers. Multiple pieces of washing of treated clothing maintain its protective properties. Learn about the duration of the protection in the product information. Following the product instructions carefully is imperative if you intend to treat items yourself.