A complete blood count (CBC) may show anemia and low platelets. Other blood tests for typhus may show:

• High level of typhus antibodies
• Low level of albumin
• Low sodium level
• Mild kidney failure
• Mildly high liver enzymes

Treatment includes antibiotics such as:

• Doxycycline
• Tetracycline
• Chloramphenicol (less common)

Tetracycline taken by mouth can permanently stain teeth that are still forming. It is usually not prescribed for children until after all of their permanent teeth have grown in.

Patients with epidemic typhus may need intravenous fluids and oxygen.

Without treatment, death may occur in 10 - 60% of patients with epidemic typhus. Patients over age 60 have the highest risk of death. Patients who receive treatment quickly should completely recover.

Less than 2% of untreated patients with murine typhus may die. Prompt antibiotic treatment will cure nearly all patients.

• Renal insufficiency
• Pneumonia
• Central nervous system damage

Call your health care provider if you develop symptoms of typhus. This serious disorder can require emergency care.

Avoid areas where you might encounter rat fleas or lice. Good sanitation and public health measures reduce the rat population.

Measures to get rid of lice when an infection has been found include:

• Bathing
• Boiling clothes or avoiding infested clothing for at least 5 days (lice will die without feeding on blood)
• Using insecticides (10% DDT, 1% malathion, or 1% permethrin)

Bechah Y, Capo C, Mege JL, Raoult D. Epidemic typhus. Lancet Infect Dis. 2008;8:417-426.