Scrub Typhus in Kerala: Demographic, Clinical, and Laboratory Predictors of ICU Admission in a Tertiary Care Setting

Scrub typhus in Kerala exhibits seasonal variation, peaking from September to January. Breathlessness and altered sensorium present at admission were the strongest predictors of ICU admission The lower mortality in our study (2.1%) compared to national estimates may be attributed to improved healthcare access, early diagnosis, and prompt treatment. Further multicenter prospective studies are needed to validate these findings and improve risk stratification for severe disease.