Typhus physical examination

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] ; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aditya Ganti M.B.B.S. [2]

Overview[edit | edit source]

Typhus fever presents with high grade fever and a maculopapular rash. Generalized lymphadenopathy is present in majority of the patients. Physical examination usually reveal combination of several non-specific findings.^[1][2][3]

Physical examination[edit | edit source]

Vitals[edit | edit source]

• Fever (as high as 104oF)
• Bradycardia
• Tachypnea and cough

HEENT[edit | edit source]

• Conjunctival redness occurs in scrub typhus.

Skin[edit | edit source]

• A maculopapular, or petechial rash initially appears on the trunk and axilla and spreads to involve the rest of the body except for the face, palms, and soles.
• Rash is petechial in patients with epidemic or murine typhus.
• Eschar is found in the scrub form of typhus and is diagnostic. Eschar develops at the site of the arthropod bite as a painless papule. It then becomes indurated and enlarged. The center of the lesion becomes necrotic and develops into a black scab.

Lymph nodes[edit | edit source]

• Generalized lymphadenopathy
• Lymph nodes are often tender and enlarged.

Abdomnen[edit | edit source]

• Hepatomegaly
• Splenomegaly

References[edit | edit source]

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