Scrub typhus

it is a disease upcoming threat to India also.so we shoould know some points about this disease.It is preventive rather than curative disease.

1. SCRUB TYPHUS Dr Sourav Kumar Pattanayak JR ,R G Kar Medical College

2. Scrub typhus , also known as bush typhus , is a disease caused by a bacteria, called Orientia tsutsugamushi . Scrub typhus spreads to people through bites of infected chiggers (larval mites ).

3. MODE OF TRANSMISSION By the infected larval mites.The transmission cycle may be following

4. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMPS Symptoms of scrub typhus usually begin within 10 days of being bitten. Signs and symptoms may include Fever and chills Headache Body aches and muscle pain A dark, scab-like region at the site of the chigger bite (also known as eschar )

5. continued Mental changes, ranging from confusion to coma Enlarged lymph nodes Rash People with severe illness may develop organ failure and bleeding, which can be fatal if left untreated. Five to eight days after the onset of fever, a macular or maculopapular rash may appear on the trunk and later extend to the arms and the legs in a small proportion of patients Complications of scrub typhus infection include pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) like picture, myocarditis , encephalitis, hepatitis, DIC, acute kidney injury, acute pancreatitis, transient adrenal insufficiency etc.

6. DIAGNOSIS The mainstay in scrub-typhus diagnostics remains serology. The oldest test in current use is the Weil–Felix OX-K agglutination reaction, which is inexpensive, easy to perform. . The indirect fluorescent antibody(IFA) test is more sensitive, and results are available in a couple of hours; however, the test is more expensive.

7. TREATMENT Scrub typhus should be treated with the antibiotic doxycycline . Doxycycline can be used in persons of any age PREVENTION No vaccine is available to prevent scrub typhus. Reduce your risk of getting scrub typhus by avoiding contact with infected chiggers. When traveling to areas where scrub typhus is common, avoid areas with lots of vegetation and brush where chiggers may be found .

8. Continued, If you will be spending time outdoors: Use  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellentsexternal icon  containing DEET or other active ingredients registered for use against chiggers, on exposed skin and clothing. If you have a baby or child: Dress your child in clothing that covers arms and legs, or cover crib, stroller, and baby carrier with mosquito netting. Do not apply insect repellent onto a child’s hands, eyes, or mouth or on cuts or irritated skin. Adults:  Spray insect repellent onto your hands and then apply to child’s face . Treat clothing and gear with permethrin or purchase permethrin -treated items .