Description
|
Rickettsia typhi that are carried by rat fleas |
Location
|
Gulf Coast states and southern California |
Cause
|
Fever caused by bite from rat fleas |
Symptoms
|
Abdominal pain, backache, dull red rash beginning on middle of back, extremely high fever lasting up to 2 weeks, dry cough, headache, joint pain, nausea, vomiting |
Treatment
|
Seek medical attention from a physician |
Prevention
|
Bathing, boiling clothes or avoiding infested clothing for five days |
Other Facts
|
Organism enters the bloodstream when feces are scratched or rubbed into a flea-bite wound or other breaks in the skin. |
