Flea Borne Typhus
Flea Borne Typhus is a disease caused by bacteria. People get the bacteria when they are around infected* fleas. The fleas become infected* after biting a sick animal such as a rat or cat.
Overview
How can I get sick?
- Through the bite of an infected* flea.
- A flea could come from your pet or other animal.
- Being around flea dirt. Flea dirt is another name for flea poop.
- When fleas bite, they poop and then the poop can get into the bite.
- Flea dirt can be rubbed into a cut.
- You can breathe in flea dirt or rub it into your eyes.
- You can be around flea dirt and not even know it. It can be on pets, wild animals, or anything we touch where fleas have been.
Symptoms in humans:
Symptoms start to show within 2 weeks of infection.
- Fever (when your body gets a little hotter than normal)
- Chills (feeling of being cold and shivering)
- Body pain
- Muscle pain
- Not feeling hungry
- Feeling like you need to throw up
- Throwing up
- Stomach pain
- Cough
- Rash
If you don’t see a doctor right away, you can get very sick. The disease can cause damage to your organs (kidney, liver, heart, lungs or brain).
What can I do to stay healthy?
- Keep fleas away from your pets by using veterinarian approved flea control products which can go on the fur, in the mouth or even on a collar. Make sure to take your pets to the veterinarian often for checkups and to make sure your animals do not have fleas.
- Keep mice and wild animals away from your home.
- Keep food in containers that animals can’t get in.
- Cover holes where mice can get in your home.
- Keep trash in containers that animals can’t get to.
- Use proper insect repellent* when outside.
*Definitions:
- Infected: When germs get inside of a body, animal, or an organism.
- Insect Repellent: Product applied to skin, clothing or surfaces to keep insects away.
Species Affected
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Learn About Other Diseases
Click below to learn more about the many different diseases that can spread between animals and humans.
Diseases