Typhus vs Typhoid Fever What s the difference Skip to main content Close Select your preferred language English عربى 简体中文 繁體中文 فارسي עִברִית 日本語 한국어 Русский Español Tagalog Menu Close Call 1-800-CEDARS-1 toggle search form Close Los Angeles, 09 June 2019 06:00 AM America/Los_Angeles Typhus vs Typhoid Fever What s the difference A microscopic view of typhoid fever bacteria. Photo by Getty Images. Typhoid Fever Bacteria Q&A With Cedars-Sinai Infectious Diseases Expert Typhus and typhoid fever have both been in the news as reported cases surface in Los Angeles. Although the names of these infections are almost identical—and their symptoms are very similar—they are completely different diseases. To clear up any confusion, we asked Jonathan D. Grein, MD, director of Hospital Epidemiology at Cedars-Sinai, to explain how these diseases compare to each other. How does typhus differ from typhoid fever   Both diseases are infections, but they're caused by different types of bacteria that are spread in different ways. The kind of typhus we tend to see in the U.S. is spread by fleas that catch the disease from rats and opossums. Typhoid fever is spread through food that's come into contact with fecal bacteria. For example, a food worker might use the restroom, not wash their hands and then contaminate the food they're handling, which infects the person eating it. What are the symptoms   The clinical symptoms can be very similar: fever, muscle aches, headache and, possibly, a rash on the trunk or back. How can someone tell the difference between the two diseases   Symptoms like diarrhea or constipation are more commonly seen with typhoid fever than with typhus. A physician can make a diagnosis using different types of blood tests. " Contact your physician if you develop any of the symptoms like fever, muscle aches, headache and a rash on the trunk or back. Make sure you tell your healthcare provider if you've been traveling recently. A complete travel history could be critical to getting the right diagnosis. Jonathan D. Grein, MD, director of Hospital Epidemiology at Cedars-Sinai„ Why are the names so similar   People thought they were the same disease until the 1800s, when a physician determined that they were different infections. How common are these infections   Los Angeles County sees an average of about 50 flea-borne typhus cases each year, except in 2018 when an outbreak caused that number to double. Typhoid fever, on the other hand, is less common in the U.S. It often manifests after a patient has traveled to Asia or India. The California Department of Public Health gets reports of about 75 cases of typhoid fever in the state each year. How are these diseases treated   Fortunately, both infections are treatable. They each respond to different types of antibiotics. How can people avoid catching these infections   You can reduce your risk of getting flea-borne typhus by avoiding contact with fleas. For example, make sure your pets are treated with flea protection. Also, keep rodents away from your home and workplace. You can avoid typhoid fever by getting vaccinated and carefully choosing what you eat or drink when you travel to countries where typhoid fever is more common. Speak with your doctor before you travel to see if a typhoid vaccine is appropriate. Stick to bottled water and fully cooked food or fruits and vegetables that must be peeled. Washing your hands also is important. What should people do if they develop symptoms of these diseases   Contact your physician if you develop any of the symptoms like fever, muscle aches, headache and a rash on the trunk or back. Make sure you tell your healthcare provider if you've been traveling recently. A complete travel history could be critical to getting the right diagnosis. 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Grein, MD, director of Hospital Epidemiology at Cedars-Sinai, about Los Angeles County’s first patient likely to … Read more Show previous items Show next items Contact the Media Team Email: [email protected] Contact Marni Usheroff marni.usheroff@cshs.org Share this release Typhus vs Typhoid Fever What s the difference Share on: Twitter Share on: Facebook Share on: LinkedIn Search Our Newsroom Social media Visit our Facebook page (opens in new window) Follow us on Twitter (opens in new window) Visit our Youtube profile (opens in new window) (opens in new window) Latest news 07 Oct 2022 - HealthDay: Black Women Less Likely to Get Laparoscopic Fibroid Surgeries 07 Oct 2022 - Faculty Publications: Sept. 29-Oct. 6 07 Oct 2022 - Fine-Tuning Organ-Chip Technology 06 Oct 2022 - KCRW: Want New Omicron Booster? Wait at Least 2 Months After Last Shot 05 Oct 2022 - Cedars-Sinai Schedules Free Flu Vaccine Clinics 04 Oct 2022 - Cedars-Sinai Showcases Hispanic and Latinx Art Newsroom Home