Brill-Zinsser disease

Brill-Zinsser disease is a mild recurrence of typhus caused by the bacteria Rickettsia prowazekii. After an initial infection, some individuals carry the bacteria in their bodies without symptoms. Later, under conditions like stress or weakened immunity, the bacteria can reactivate, leading to a relapse with symptoms such as fever, headache, and rash. Unlike the original disease, Brill-Zinsser is less severe and often links to people who have previously had typhus. It highlights how certain infections can remain dormant and reactivate later, especially in areas with poor sanitation or during outbreaks.