A bacterial disease spread by lice or fleas.

Typhus germs spread by fleas often come from rats, cats and opossums. Typhus germs also can be spread by body lice. This happens mainly in overcrowded areas where people can't bathe or change clothes often.

Symptoms include headache, chills, fever, body aches and a rash.

Treatment involves antibiotics. Antibiotics work best when taken soon after symptoms begin.