Typhus Letters From Rifka

Typhus is a bacterial disease spread by lice or fleas. What is Typhus? Typhus is a bacterial disease spread by lice or fleas.

Pictures of Typhus The man is spraying a powder on the woman’s head.

TYPHUS is caused by… Contact with body lice. While on a person’s body, the lice defecate(use the bathroom). The waste contains bacteria that cause typhus. When the person scratches the wounds caused by the lice, the feces are rubbed into the wounds. Typically affects large groups of people, as lice spread quickly in areas where people are crowded and unable to bathe regularly.

Other Facts about Typhus Typhus is uncommon in the United States. Usually seen in areas where hygiene is poor and the temperature is cold. Typhus can be compared to the bubonic plague because they are both caused by a bacteria and can be linked back to fleas, lice and rats. They both also have symptoms of chills, headache, and high fever.

Symptoms Abdominal pain Backache Extremely high fever (105 - 106 degrees), which may last up to 2 weeks dry cough Joint pain Nausea Vomiting Chills light may hurt the eyes Low blood pressure Rash that begins on the chest and spreads to the rest of the body (except the palms and soles of the feet) Severe headache Severe muscle pain

Treatments Antibiotics such as: Doxycycline Tetracycline-- taken by mouth can permanently stain teeth that are still forming. It is usually not prescribed for children until after all their permanent teeth have grown in. *Patients with some forms of typhus may need intravenous fluids and oxygen.

Long Term Effects… Without treatment, death may occur in 10 - 60% of patients. Patients over age 60 have the highest risk of death. Patients who receive treatment quickly should completely recover. Quick antibiotic treatment will cure nearly all patients.

Ringworm

What is Ringworm? Ringworm is a common fungal infection that can occur on any part of the body. The name comes from its appearance, which is usually ring shaped with a raised reddish border.

Pictures of Ringworm

Pictures of Severe Ringworm

Ringworm is caused by… It can be spread by touching a surface that an animal or person infected has touched. Ringworm is not caused by a worm. It is caused by a fungus. They live and spread on the top layer of the skin and on the hair. They grow best in warm, moist areas, such as locker rooms and swimming pools, and in skin folds. Ringworm is contagious. It also spreads when you have skin-to-skin contact with a person or animal that has it.

Other Facts about Ringworm To prevent ringworm: don't share clothing, sports gear, towels, or sheets. If you think you have been exposed to ringworm, wash your clothes in hot water with special anti-fungus soap. Wear slippers or sandals in locker rooms and public bathing areas. Wear loose-fitting cotton clothing. Change your socks and underwear at least once a day. Keep your skin clean and dry. Always dry yourself completely after showers or baths, drying your feet last. Ringworm can be treated with fungus-killing medicine. Ringworm is an infection that can affect the scalp, the body (particularly the groin), the feet, and the nails.

Symptoms A flat, spreading, circular ring or patch that is dry and scaly. Multiple rings that appear in a single patch. Ringworm of the foot is called "athlete's foot“. Severe Itching Ringworm of the scalp usually starts as a small pimple-like sore before spreading as a fine, scaly, bald patch. It may cause hair to become brittle and to break off, and it may be spread by sharing hats or combs. Ringworm of the hand looks like athlete's foot. The skin on the palm of the hand gets thick, dry, and scaly. And skin between the fingers may have open sores. Itchy, red, raised, scaly patches that may blister and ooze. This may create the appearance of a ring. Skin may appear unusually dark or light. When scalp or beard is infected, you will have bald patches.

Treatment Applying an antifungal cream for about two weeks or taking prescription medication by mouth for two to four weeks. Most ringworm of the skin can be treated at home with creams you can buy without a prescription. It’s important to keep using the cream for as long as the label says. This will help keep the infection from coming back. If the cream doesn't work, your doctor can prescribe pills or antibiotics that will kill the fungus.

Long Term Effects Lack of treatment can result in an infection that will not clear up. spread of the ringworm to other parts of the body permanent baldness if the ringworm is on the scalp or where facial hair grows. If ringworm is not treated, skin could blister, and the cracks could become infected with bacteria.

Sources https://health.google.com/health/ref/Typhus http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-typhus.htm https://health.google.com/health/ref/Plague http://www.righthealth.com/topic/Pictures_Of_Ringworm?p=l&as=goog&ac=519&kgl=5905475 http://www.humanillnesses.com/original/Pre-Sei/Ringworm.html http://curiosity.discovery.com/topic/physical-anthropology/10-worst-epidemics9.htm http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/ringworm-of-the-skin-topic-overview http://www.dhpe.org/infect/ringworm.html http://www.ehow.com/facts_5562387_longterm-effects-ringworm.html