Typhoid Fever and how to Prevent it

     Typhoid is a life-threatening infection that is caused by Salmonella typhi bacteria. A less severe form of typhoid can be caused by the Salmonella paratyphi bacteria. 

Usually, a person contracts typhoid by drinking or consuming contaminated food and water. However, you can also get the infection by coming into close contact with an infected person. 

Symptoms of typhoid fever include pain in the abdomen, diarrhoea or constipation, headache, and high-grade fever.

A majority of infected people starts feeling better once they are put on antibiotics. However, some people succumb to the infection due to associated complications.

Signs and Symptoms of Typhoid

Signs of typhoid tend to develop gradually. A person exposed to the disease usually manifests the symptoms one to three weeks after the exposure.

The early symptoms of typhoid include:

• Fever, which initially starts low and increases every day

• Headache

• Muscle aches

• Weakness

• Fatigue

• Dry cough

• Sweating

• Pain in the abdomen

• Loss of appetite along with weight loss

• Rash

• Significantly swollen abdomen

• Diarrhoea or constipation

As the disease progresses and if proper treatment is not sought, the following symptoms appear:

• Delirium

• The state where the person lies exhausted and motionless with their eyes half closed.

It is during the later stages of the disease when if the treatment is not sought, the chances of life-threatening complications such as intestinal perforation are high.

If you suspect you or a loved one has typhoid, it is important to consult the doctor right away.

Causes of Typhoid

The infection spreads through contaminated water and food. In developing nations like India, typhoid is an endemic disease, and hence, the chances of contamination are high. Also, poor sanitation contributes to the spread of the disease.

An infected person passes out the bacteria in their feces. If this person does not wash their hands properly, the bacteria pass from the hands to the food or water handled by the person. And, when this food or water is consumed, typhoid can be contracted.

Some people become chronic carriers of the bacteria, even after they receive treatment for typhoid. Such people may not exhibit signs and symptoms of the disease, but have the ability to infect others.

Typhoid can be treated with antibiotics for a couple of weeks. In addition, the person will also be advised to drink ample amount of water to prevent dehydration caused by prolonged high-grade fever and diarrhoea.

Laboratory diagnosis 

Is mainly by blood or stool cultures at different phases of the disease. The common Widal test remains positive for several years after clinical or sub-clinical infection and is therefore not reliable. 

I personally find neutropenia in the absence of recent viral infection a strong indicator. 

Prevention

Good news it can be prevented.

Vaccination for typhoid  is very effective and widely available. Vaccines are in the inform of oral tablets and injection. If you are travelling to an endemic region or at high risk as your local pharmacist.

Some people  are asymptomatic carriers so typhoid is commonly spread by food handlers. Do avoid contaminated food and water in your travels. Water sterilising tablets are available at most pharmacists. If it is not hot, bottled or canned it maybe wise to throw it away.

Remember typhoid is transmitted via the faceo-oral route. If you must shake hands with strangers and use public toilets, then do wash your hands or use a hand sanitiser regularly.

Thanks for being here and goodluck on your journey to optimal health and wellness. I hope you enjoyed reading this piece. 

I invite you to check out more of my over a hundred health and beauty articles that may interest. Please use the search button at the top of the page. 

See you in the next one. Ciao. God-isLove.

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