Epidemic typhus is sometimes misdiagnosed as typhoid fever. The diagnosis can be based on serology, immunohistochemistry, or detection of the organism in a louse found on a pt.
Treatment: Epidemic Typhus (Louse-Borne) Doxycycline (100 mg bid) is given until 2 or 3 days after the pt has defervesced, although a one-time dose of 200 mg has proved effective under epidemic conditions. |
Section 7. Infectious Diseases