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Flea typhus is a bacterial disease that causes fever, headaches, rashes, muscle aches, fever and chills.
In severe cases, patients may require hospitalization because of hepatitis or internal bleeding.
It is caused by Rickettsia typhi bacteria and possibly Rickettsia felis, which are carried by fleas.
Fleas live on animals, especially wild and stray cats, rats and opossums, but do not hurt their host animals.
Flea typhus is endemic in parts of Los Angeles and Orange County.
The disease occurs as often in Texas and Hawaii.
About 200 cases occur each year in the United States, particularly in coastal areas.
The bacteria spread when the feces of an infected flea contaminate a person's cut or graze while the flea sucks his blood.
If the person is scratching the area with flea bites, fecal bacteria can enter the bloodstream.
Bacteria can also be rubbed into the eyes or, in rare cases, inhaled.
The symptoms then appear six to 14 days later.
Flea typhus can be treated with antibiotics, with most people curing within a few days.
Between two and four percent of untreated people die in the world.
Flea typhus can be prevented by avoiding contact with fleas via:
- Discourage wild animals around the house
- Keep garbage covered
- Using Flea Control on Pets
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