Flea Borne Typhus

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.