What is Tsutsugamushi disease? What are the characteristics of transmission? Scrub typhus, also known as bush typhus, is a natural epidemic disease caused by the Orientia tsutsugamushi. It is transmitted by the bite of scrub typhus mite larvae with rodents as the main source of infection. Tsutsugamushi is transmitted by the bite of the larvae of the Orientia tsutsugamushi, and is not transmitted from person to person. People are generally susceptible to the Orientia tsutsugamushi, and a more solid immunity can be obtained after recovering from the disease, and residents of endemic areas are mostly immunized by the infection. The disease is usually disseminated, and epidemics often occur easily when foreign people enter the infected area. Field work, field work, training, rural fishing, grass sitting and lying, as well as contact and use of straw, etc. have more chances to be attacked by the chiggers and are prone to infection. The disease is mainly prevalent in the tropics and subtropics, and is more widespread in East Asian countries, with more reported incidences in Japan, Korea, Thailand and Australia. In China, cases have been reported in all provinces except Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Qinghai, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and Tibet Autonomous Region. The epidemic peaks in June to August in areas south of the Yangtze River, in October to November in areas north of the Yangtze River, and also in January to February in Fujian. What are the effects of scrub typhus on human body? What kind of discomfort will the patients have? Patients with scrub typhus are mainly characterized by high fever (temperature up to 38.5~41℃), scab or ulcer, swollen lymph nodes and skin rash. The incubation period is 4~21 days, usually 10~14 days, and the disease mostly starts acutely. At the beginning of the disease, red papules are seen at the bite site, followed by blisters, and later dark brown scabs are formed. Superficial lymph nodes throughout the body may be enlarged. The rash is usually a congested maculopapular rash that fades when pressed, and in severe cases the rash may be dense and fused. As the tsutsugamushi causes extensive damage to small blood vessels throughout the body, it can involve multiple systems and organs, with respiratory, digestive, nervous system and kidney damage being more common, resulting in dizziness and headache, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain and distention, coughing and sputum, liver and spleen enlargement, and conjunctival congestion. Miscarriage can occur in pregnant women and rarely death occurs. How to prevent scrub typhus? The first step is to reduce the density of rodents and chiggers in the environment. In endemic areas, we must often remove weeds and fill in potholes on both sides of the residence, workplace and road to increase sunlight and reduce humidity, so that the environment is not suitable for the growth and reproduction of chiggers. For areas that cannot be weeded, chemical acaricidal drugs can be sprayed. On the basis of environmental sanitation, use drugs and other comprehensive means to reduce the density of chiggers. Second, good personal protection is an effective measure to prevent chiggers. As chiggers mainly inhabit in grass or shrubs, sitting and resting or drying clothes in such environments should be avoided, and if you do need to enter such environments, especially in areas where patients have been found, you should tighten cuffs, trouser openings and tie shirts into the waist of pants to reduce the attachment or bite of chiggers. You can also use repellents for protection, such as repellent and mosquito bite, etc. applied to exposed skin, or to pant legs, collars and cuffs. After working in the field, pat the clothing in time to shake off the attached chiggers. Change clothes, and place and wash them separately. Take a bath in time, focusing on soft skin areas such as armpits, waist and perineum. Thirdly, for those who have chiggers mite bites or field activities, once suspected symptoms or signs appear, go to a regular medical institution as soon as possible and tell the doctor the history of field activities, etc. The special medicine for chiggers: chloramphenicol and tetracycline, early detection, early diagnosis and early treatment.