How can you catch typhus

Typhoid fever, on the other hand, is less common in the U. It often manifests after a patient has traveled to Asia or India. The California Department of Public Health gets reports of about 75 cases of typhoid fever in the state each year. How are these diseases treated? Fortunately, both infections are treatable. They each respond to different types of antibiotics.

How can people avoid catching these infections? You can reduce your risk of getting flea-borne typhus by avoiding contact with fleas.

For example, make sure your pets are treated with flea protection. Also, keep rodents away from your home and workplace. You can avoid typhoid fever by getting vaccinated and carefully choosing what you eat or drink when you travel to countries where typhoid fever is more common. Speak with your doctor before you travel to see if a typhoid vaccine is appropriate.

Stick to bottled water and fully cooked food or fruits and vegetables that must be peeled. Washing your hands also is important. What should people do if they develop symptoms of these diseases? Signs and symptoms may include:. Some people can remain infected, without symptoms, for years after they first get sick. Rarely, these individuals can have a relapse in disease, called Brill-Zinsser disease, months or years following their first illness. The symptoms of Brill-Zinsser disease are similar to the original infection, but are usually milder than the initial illness.

Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Typhus Fevers. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Epidemic Typhus. It's important to get diagnosed early so treatment can be started as soon as possible. If typhus is not treated quickly, it can sometimes be life threatening. You may have a blood test or skin biopsy to check if you have typhus.

Antibiotics are used to treat the infection. They're usually started before you get your test result, as this can take up to a week. Most people start to feel better within 48 hours of starting treatment. It's important to keep taking your antibiotics until they're finished, even if you feel better.