Scrub typhus is an infectious disease caused by a type of bacteria called Orientia tsutsugamushi. It is primarily transmitted to humans through the bite of infected larvae mites, which often reside in rural areas of Asia, the Pacific region, and parts of Australia. The term "scrub" in scrub typhus refers to the habitat where the mites are commonly found, such as vegetation, grass, and low-lying shrubs.
The symptoms of scrub typhus typically appear within 10 days after being bitten by an infected mite. They usually include fever, headache, muscle pain, and a characteristic skin rash that often starts on the trunk and spreads to the limbs. Patients may also experience fatigue, cough, swollen lymph nodes, and digestive issues like nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
If left untreated, scrub typhus can lead to severe complications affecting multiple organs, such as the lungs, heart, liver, and kidneys. Prompt diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics, such as doxycycline, can effectively cure most cases of scrub typhus.
Prevention of scrub typhus involves avoiding exposure to mite-infested areas, wearing protective clothing (e.g., long sleeves, pants, closed shoes), using insect repellents, and keeping the environment clean and free from rodents, which can also carry the bacteria. Vaccines against scrub typhus are not widely available yet, so prevention strategies focus mostly on personal protective measures.
