​This bacterial infection has claimed 5 lives in Shimla; know details​

The disease is spread by the bacteria Orientia tsutsugamushi and infects human beings through the bites of infected chiggers or larval mites. Chiggers are what you need to be careful. Chiggers are mites, which are very tiny and are very difficult to be seen with the naked eye. Chiggers are found in dense vegetation, especially in wooded areas. These mites feed on the skin of humans. Chiggers usually bite the ankles, lower legs, knees, groin and waist.

The common signs of scrub typhus are fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, dark skin at the site of the bite which is also known as eschar, confusion, and rashes. In several cases, the person develops organ failure. There is no vaccine available to treat scrub typhus.

​COVID: Roughly one in 58 in the UK have coronavirus right now, says report as Pirola spreads​

As per a review study published in 2021, a total of 18,781 confirmed scrub typhus cases were reported in 138 hospital-based studies and two community-based studies. The study found that the burden of the disease is underappreciated though it accounts for a large number of deaths and severe morbidity.

In Shimla, this year the infection has claimed 5 lives. Studies have also found that severe scrub typhus cases involved organs and organ systems of the body. The most common complications associated with the infection are hepatitis, thrombocytopenia acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute kidney injury, meningitis, shock, and myocarditis. The 2021 study found that 17.4% of the infections resulted in multiple organ dysfunction and more than 19% of the patients required ICU admission and ventilation.

Since there is no vaccine available against scrub typhus, it is advisable to follow preventive measures to stop contracting the infection. To prevent the mites from biting, wear full-sleeve clothes, and avoid going to areas with dense vegetation. It is important to know the signs of the disease and get medical attention for it at the earliest.

​Blood cancer awareness month: Myths about this disease you need to stop believing​