Epidemic Typhus

A Rickettsial disease characterized by malaise and vague symptoms before the onset of high fever, headache, severe myalgias and less commonly petechial rash on the trunk and limbs, nausea, vomiting, coughing and pneumonia. Most patients also have some central nervous system disturbances, such as meningeal irritation, confusion, drowsiness, seizures, coma, and hearing loss.