Here we will see Typhus Vs Typhoid a basic difference between two diseases with their name somewhat similar.
| Typhus | Typhoid | |
| Caused by | Rickettsia or Orientia | Salmonella typhi Salmonella paratyphi |
| Type of disease | Infectious disease | Infectious disease |
| Spread by | Lice Flea Mites | Contaminated water Contaminated food |
| Symptoms | Chills Fever Muscle pain Rash Vomiting, nausea Stomach pain Cough Loss of appetite Confusion Rapid breathing Swollen lymph nodes | Fever Chills Nausea Vomiting Abdominal pain Constipation Or Loose motions Faint skin rash Bodyache |
| Treatment | Antibiotics doxycycline and ciprofloxacin | Ceftriaxone or cefixime and azithromycin (Fluoroquinolones and ampicillin and clotrimoxazole no long effective) |
| Complications | Brain and spinal cord inflammation Pneumonia Liver damage Kidney damage Internal bleeding Low blood pressure Septic shock Splenomegaly Cardiomyopathy | Intestinal rupture Intestinal haemorrhage Brain infection Kidney damage Liver damage Septic shock Rarely pneumonia |
| Diagnosis | Skin biopsy Western blot testI Immunofluorescence test | Widal test Blood and stool, urine culture test Bone marrow culture test |
| Prevention | Personal hygiene like bathing and wearing washed clothes. Keep away rats, squirrels. Avoiding travel to affected areas. Chemoprophylaxis with doxycycline. | Washing hands before making and having food and after using the toilet and latrine. Drinking boiled water. Consuming fresh and hygienic food. Typhoid vaccine. |
Table of Contents
FAQ about Typhus vs Typhoid
Are they the same diseases?
As we discussed in the above table they are two different diseases. Both are infectious diseases.
Do typhus and typhoid spread in similar ways?
No, modes of spread of these two diseases are different. Typhoid spreads through contaminated food and water. Typhus spreads by lice, flea and mites that is through vectors.
Do these diseases cause the same symptoms?
Yes, to some extent. Sometimes in initial stages the symptoms may look similar in both illnesses.
Are they preventable by vaccines?
Typhoid can be prevented by live or killed vaccines but for prevention of typhus, yet there is no vaccine.
How are they diagnosed?
The investigations and tests are suggested on clinical suspicion. For diagnosing Typhus skin biopsy, western blot and immunofluorescence test may be needed but for typhoid fever blood and bone marrow culture are the ideal methods.
How are they treated?
Both Typhus and Typhoid fever are treated with antibiotics. For Typhus, ciprofloxacin and doxycycline are used. For typhoid fever, a third generation cephalosporin and azithromycin can be used.
Role of chemoprophylaxis?
Typhus can be prevented by chemoprophylaxis with doxycycline but for prevention of typhoid fever no chemoprophylaxis is recommended.
Ways of prevention?
For typhus fever, not visiting affected areas and personal hygiene with keeping away rats and squirrels helps for prevention.
For typhoid fever, regular hand wash with soap and water, avoiding contaminated food and water helps for prevention along with vaccination.