BLUE TYPE ENDEMIC

BLUE TYPH ENDEMIC (syn: rat typhus , rat rickettsiosis, endemic typhus) is an infectious disease characterized by benign cyclic course, fever and the appearance of a rose-oesophageal papular rash on the skin. It is distributed mainly in port cities located in zones of subtropical and tropical climate.

Pathogen - rickettsia (Rickettsia typhi) - small rod-shaped or cocco-shaped microorganisms. The main source of infectious agents are rats, field and house mice, carriers of infectious agents - rat fleas and rat lice, lice, and some gamma mites. Rickettsia is excreted into the environment with vector excreta, where it lasts up to 40 days. Infection of people occurs when the dry excrements of the vectors hit the damaged skin (the place of the flea bite, combing), the mucous membranes of the eyes and upper respiratory tract. Infection is also possible when food is contaminated with feces and urine from rodents containing rickettsia. From a sick person to a healthy person, this disease is not transmitted. As a rule, there are isolated cases of diseases, but occasionally small group outbreaks are possible.

The incubation period is 5 to 15 days. The disease begins sharply, chills, weakness, headache , joint and muscle pain, body temperature rises to 39-40 ° C. Duration of fever - 7 - 15 days, more often 11 - 13 days. There is hyperemia of the face and conjunctiva. On the 5th-6th day of the disease, there is an abundant pink-osseous, rose-osseous-papular or papular rash that is located throughout the body, including on the face, palms, feet and soles. From the 11th to the 12th day of illness she disappears completely. Possible enlargement of the liver and spleen.

The diagnosis can be established only on the basis of the results of laboratory studies, for which the complement fixation reaction is used.

Treatment is carried out in the hospital with tetracycline or (sometimes) levomycetin for 4 to 5 days. According to the indications, pathogenetic and symptomatic agents are prescribed. The discharge of patients from the hospital is possible on the 4th - 5th day after the normalization of body temperature.

Prevention is to carry out deratization and disinsection in the premises where rats and mice live. The main importance is the protection of dwellings and premises intended for food storage and cooking, from the penetration of rodents and the creation of conditions that deprive rodents of food, drink and prevent them from burrowing and nesting, - sealing vent holes, manholes, holes around pipes, timely removal Garbage, cleaning of yards from garbage, the arrangement of garbage cans, unreachable for rodents.