Because of a lapse in government funding, the information on this
website may not be up to date, transactions submitted via the
website may not be processed, and the agency may not be able to
respond to inquiries until appropriations are enacted. The NIH
Clinical Center (the research hospital of NIH) is open. For more
details about its operating status, please visit
cc.nih.gov. Updates
regarding government operating status and resumption of normal
operations can be found at
opm.gov.
Typhus, Epidemic Louse-Borne MeSH Descriptor Data 2025
The classic form of typhus, caused by RICKETTSIA PROWAZEKII, which is transmitted from man to man by the louse Pediculus humanus corporis. This disease is characterized by the sudden onset of intense headache, malaise, and generalized myalgia followed by the formation of a macular skin eruption and vascular and neurologic disturbances.
Entry Term(s)
Brill Disease
Brill's Disease
Brill-Zinsser Disease
Epidemic Typhus
Jail Fever
Louse-Borne Typhus
Rickettsia prowazekii Infection
Typhus
Public MeSH Note
77; was TYPHUS 1963-76; BRILL'S DISEASE was heading 1975-96 (see under TYPHUS, EPIDEMIC LOUSE-BORNE 1977-90, see under TYPHUS 1975-76), was see under TYPHUS 1963-74; BRILL-ZINSSER DISEASE was see BRILL'S DISEASE 1992-96
Online Note
use TYPHUS, EPIDEMIC LOUSE-BORNE to search BRILL-ZINSSER DISEASE 1992-96, BRILL'S DISEASE 1966-96, & TYPHUS 1966-76
History Note
77; was TYPHUS 1963-76; BRILL'S DISEASE was heading 1975-96 (see under TYPHUS, EPIDEMIC LOUSE-BORNE 1977-90, see under TYPHUS 1975-76), was see under TYPHUS 1963-74; BRILL-ZINSSER DISEASE was see BRILL'S DISEASE 1992-96
The classic form of typhus, caused by RICKETTSIA PROWAZEKII, which is transmitted from man to man by the louse Pediculus humanus corporis. This disease is characterized by the sudden onset of intense headache, malaise, and generalized myalgia followed by the formation of a macular skin eruption and vascular and neurologic disturbances.