Scrub Typhus

What is?

Scrub Typhus

This topic is related to Current Affairs of IAS/PCS Preliminary Exam and Bacterial Diseases of General Studies Question Paper-3 of Main Exam.

September 19, 2023

In News:

  • Recently, scrub typhus infection has been confirmed during medical examination in many patients in the states of Odisha and Himachal Pradesh of the country.
  • Scrub typhus infection has caused more than five deaths in the state of Odisha.
  • And 973 cases of scrub typhus have been reported in Himachal Pradesh, in which more than 10 people have died.

About Scrub Typhus:

  • It is a bacterial disease, which spreads through flea bites. That is, this disease spreads to people through the bite of chiggers insect found in rats living in fields and bushes.
  • The infection spreads rapidly among people due to Orientia tsutsugamushi bacteria through chiggers insect.
  • Scrub Typhus is also called bush typhus, jungle typhus or mite typhus.

Impact:

  • Any person can get infected with scrub typhus. But, due to this insect being found in the fields, most of the farmers and gardeners working in the bushes and fields are at high risk of its infection.
  • There is a strong possibility of scrub typhus infection being more prevalent from July to October.
  • In this season most of the people cut grass in the fields and gardens. And getting bitten by fleas increases the chances of getting this disease.
  • This is a bacterial infection that spreads through the bites of chiggers (larvae mites).
  • Most cases of scrub typhus infection are seen in China, India, Japan, Northern Australia, South East Asia.

Symptoms of scrub typhus:

  • Symptoms of this bacterial disease start appearing 10 days after the flea bite.
  • A patient with scrub typhus has fever of 104 to 105 degrees.
  • Its symptoms are as follows:
  • The infected person feels chills and shivering along with fever.
  • Along with this, along with headache and body ache, there is also severe pain in the muscles.
  • In case of severe infection, lumps start appearing on the hands, legs and neck as well as below the hips.
  • Along with this, the ability to think and understand also changes rapidly after infection.

Preventive measures:

  • Treatment is available for this disease and with its immediate treatment the patient can be saved.
  • Patients with persistent fever should undergo ELISA test for scrub typhus, which is available in public health laboratories in district headquarters hospitals.
  • To avoid scrub typhus, do not allow grass or bushes to grow around the house.
  • Keep cleaning from time to time.
  • Keep the body clean and always wear clean clothes.
  • Do not allow accumulation of water nearby.
  • Keep spraying insecticides in and around the house.
  • While working in the fields, keep your hands and legs well covered.
  • It can be easily treated if you consult a doctor on time.
  • Its symptoms are pain in the joints, lumps in the neck, lower arms and hips.

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Mains Exam Question

What is Scrub Typhus? Throw light on its main symptoms and treatment.