Causes Of Typhus's Disease

Typhus is a disease that is caused by the bacteria, Rickettsia. It’s been around since the late fifteenth century, and up until the twentieth century has impacted the world. Historically, Typhus was a huge disease that caused high mortality, and a chain of events. Not only that, but biologically there’s also a lot this disease does.
In 1492 Typhus was a new disease and it wasn’t known until just before World War I. The origin of it is unknown, however, it is believed that it went to Western Europe from the Levant (a large area in the eastern Mediterranean). Typhus killed Anne Frank and her sister Margot in 1945. It affected the men fighting in war, poor families, even rich families too. Though, people fighting wars and poor families were twenty
times more likely to get Typhus than those living in the upper class. Those people couldn’t afford to be clean enough to prevent themselves from getting the disease. They were living in poor conditions that attracted rats, which also carried Typhus. Men in war didn’t have sterile water that they could clean themselves with, they were in different weather conditions, and their clothing was so dirty and unclean that their chances of getting Typhus were high. Jails were also suitable for the disease because there were so many people in one confined space, that germs and bacteria were easily spread between everyone.
Reporting methods can be different all over the place.
In Minnesota, any signs of Typhus have to be reported to MDH within one working day. To report the disease, someone could call 651-201-5414 or 877-676-5414, or fill out and mail a Tickborne Disease Case Form. Various people are required to report Typhus as well, such as; physicians, nurses, teachers, people in charge of camps or schools, and any healthcare workers. In New York State, any communicable diseases such as Typhus have to be reported. Physicians, lab directors, infection control practitioners, health care facilities, state institutions and schools. Any reports need to be sent to the local health department where the patient lives. It is required that the person reporting Typhus use the DOH-389 form. If found in Florida everything is basically the same as New York State and Minnesota, and you can report upon suspicion or lab
tests.
In 430 B.C.
it was found that Typhus might be the first disease that contributed to the Plague of 430 B.C. An Athenian historian and general Thucydides, described a Typhus like disease that caused severe damage to the Greek people and Athenian navy and contributed to the downfall of the Athens. Satanism and Witchcraft stated basically that Europe had itself to blame for getting Typhus, not Asia due to the lack of cleanliness. To be unsanitary was encouraged in some churches, which is likely to host Typhus. In The Historical Impact of Epidemic Typhus it says, “Constant warfare, lack of any sanitation whatsoever, social values ~ all contributed to the role played by louse-borne Typhus in that period of history and its contemporary ramifications.” During the fifteenth century was the earliest record of Typhus in history. It caused great damage to the army of Ferdinand and Isabella, while they were trying to drive out the Moors from Spain. Typhus struck the surrounding army of the Spanish, thus killing 17,000 out of the original 25,000 soldiers. Parts of the Spanish army left and they then spread the disease to other parts of Europe. In the sixteenth century, Typhus finally made its way into the European continent. With no medical advancements the medieval persons turned to spiritual and metaphysical sources to cure Typhus. When people started to realize how many people were dying from the disease, they paid more attention to it. In the seventeenth century the Thirty Years War
of 1618-1648 was greatly affected by Typhus. Along with other diseases such as, plague and things like starvation, Typhus was responsible for 10,000,000 dying. In the first 15 years of the war, Typhus caused the most damage. In 1632 it prevented a battle between Gustavos Adolphus (the swedish king), and Baron Von Wallenstein (Catholic commander). They were preparing for battle in Nuremburg, Germany but, due to Typhus the war did not occur. It killed 18,000 troops and both of the commanders. In the eighteenth century Typhus killed 30,000 Prussians during the siege of Prague by the French. This disease resulted in the downfall of the city. During the nineteenth century Napoleon was leading his troops into Poland, and was warned of Typhus being really abundant at the time. Ignoring the warning from his Chief Surgeon, he continued into Poland and brought Typhus into the camps. More than 80,000 French soldiers died during the first month of that epidemic. Ireland was also filled with Typhus epidemics that were from low conditions. The twentieth century consisted Nicolle’s proof in 1910, that Typhus could be transmitted by body lice. Typhus in the twentieth century struck a large portion of Serbia also, including the Serbian army. In November of 1914 Typhus killed 200,000 soldiers, which was almost a quarter of their army. Historically, Typhus was so common and killed over 10,345,002 people. Most Typhus epidemics were due to rats carrying fleas which spread Typhus, as well as unsanitary conditions for the poor and the troops fighting war.
Typhus is a disease caused by the bacteria Rickettsia. It is transmitted through mostly fleas, mites, lice, ticks when they bite you. When the host is bitten by any of those, the bacteria is excreted onto their skin and they are thus infected. Sudden symptoms include, headaches, chills, high fever, collapse, coughing and severe muscular pain. After five to six days the infected begin to experience dark spots all over the skin, except on the soles of the feet, hands and face. Typhus causes your body to completely shut down. Your organs fail and your brain swells, which then leads to death. When the bacteria Rickettsia enters the body it enters the host’s cell by phagocytosis, then immediately leaves the cell so the phagosome can grow and reproduce within the cytoplasm. Eventually the host cell will undergo lysis, which is the disintegration of the cell or cell wall. After that happens usually it causes the release of new organisms to then infect the rest of the body.
The prevention of Typhus includes two long processes. Getting rid of the carries of lice and other things of that nature is an important step. Spraying insecticides, using rodent control methods and treating soil with insect-repellent are all ways to successfully prevent Rickettsia/Typhus. Wearing thick clothing and spraying yourself with insect repellent also increases your chances of remaining Typhus free. Personal Hygiene is also very important in protecting yourself from such disease. Bathing and changing your clothes, will eliminate the body lice which will prevent Typhus.
For both endemic and epidemic Typhus, antibiotic treatment is used for early stages of the infection.