at Is Typhoid Fever: Everything You Need to Know About
Typhoid fever is one sickness that could be very tricky and may also be life-threatening if not discovered early and well managed. To do justice to this area of study, a list of headers listed below ranging from what is typhoid fever to typhoid fever causes, typhoid fever symptoms, typhoid fever treatment prevention tips and more.
Make sure to read through so you don’t miss out on any point.
What Is Typhoid Fever
Alt text – Doctor and patient having conversation
Typhoid fever is a severe bacterial infection that is caused by Salmonella typhi.
It spreads through contaminated water or food which makes it prevail in areas with poor sanitation.
After exposure to the bacteria, it may take between 6 to 30 days before the symptoms appear and during this time, the bacteria attacks the intestines before spreading into the bloodstream.
This infection can result in weakness of the body, headache, high fever, stomach pain, and loss of appetite.
Although typhoid fever symptoms may look mild but leaving it untreated, can cause severe complications hence it important to contact a doctor early.
What Are the Causes of Typhoid
Alt text – a doctor examining a patient
Below are some typhoid fever causes.
- Intake of Contaminated food or water
This is one of the major typhoid fever causes
Once the bacterium is released through urine or feces.of an infected individual, it can contaminate water supplies which are used by food vendors, fruits sellers, or even water packaging organisations.
Ingestion of these contaminated items can then lead to infection.
- Chronic Carriers
About 5 percent of people treated for typhoid often become chronic carriers even when they no longer show the symptoms. This implies that they will have a trace of it in their urine or feces which pose a risk especially when they are involved in food preparation.
- Environmental factors
Heavy rainfall that results in flooding can contaminate water sources hence increasing the risk of infection.
- Other Sources
Other typhoid fever causes may include having direct contact with contaminated surfaces, flies moving in between feces and food, can also spread the infection.
What Are the Key Symptoms of Typhoid fever
These are some typhoid fever symptoms you need to watch out for.
1. Prolonged High Fever
The fever often goes up gradually over several days. It can get as high as 104°F (40°C) and it can stay that way for a long time.
Other typhoid fever symptoms includes;
- General weakness of the body- the commonest among typhoid fever symptoms
- Headache
- Pains around the abdomen
- Dry cough
- Body aches
- Constipation
- .Loss of appetite
Where left untreated, it can degenerate to;
- Diarrhea
- Bloated abdomen
- Delirium
- Enlarged spleen and liver
- Intestinal perforation (this is life-threatening)
- Sepsis
- Bleeding from the intestines
How to Stay Safe
To reduce the risk of being a victim of typhoid fever, maximize these tips.
- Drink only safe water which can be either boiled or treated.
- Cook food thoroughly and if you need to eat out, make sure you are convinced of their hygiene level.
For fruits, wash properly before consumption.
3. Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilet/ bathroom and before preparing/eating food.
4 Clean sanitation will save you from a lot of trouble hence maintain a clean sanitation system. Avoid open defecation and ensure proper sewage treatment.
5.Take advantage of vaccination, they are added advantage to protecting you especially when traveling to high-risk areas.
Treatment Options for Typhoid
Once typhoid fever symptoms becomes obvious or is been diagnosed contact a medical practioner immediately.
There are different approaches to be used in eliminating and they include
- Antibiotic Treatment
The use of antibiotics is the commonest typhoid fever treatment.and this include ceftriaxone, azithromycin, chloramphenicol, Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and Ampicillin.
2. Natural Care
This option helps to manage symptoms and prevent complications. It involves the use of Oral rehydration salts (ORS), intake of an easily digestible high-calorie diet, and paracetamol (acetaminophen) to reduce fever
3. Hospitalization
This is a better option in severe cases where the patient is severely dehydrated, vomiting persistently.
4. Surgery
This is a rare typhoid fever treatment but where it has worsened to issues like severe gastrointestinal bleeding, an emergency surgery may be required.
Final Thoughts
Due to the different areas covered in this article, ranging from what is typhoid to typhoid fever causes, typhoid fever symptoms, the prevention tips, the treatment options, and common questions that people ask.
It can therefore be concluded that typhoid fever remains a serious sickness though it can be treated, however prevention is the best option to go by.
FAQS Questions About Typhoid
These are some questions people ask about typhoid
What is typhoid fever?
Typhoid fever is a severe bacterial infection that is caused by Salmonella typhi.
What causes typhoid fever?
Typhoid fever is caused by the Salmonella typhi bacteria.
2. How can typhoid be transmitted?
The bacteria is often shed in human waste which can contaminate food or water either through flies or unwashed hands. Anyone who consumes such contaminated food or water becomes infected.
3. What are the early signs of typhoid?
The early signs of typhoid are;
- Weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain
4. Is typhoid contagious?
Yes, the bacteria can be passed from person to person, especially where proper hygiene is not maintained.
5. How is typhoid treated?
Typhoid can be treated through the use of antibiotics, stay hydrated, proper nutrition, and adequate rest.
Some cases may require hospitalization while surgery may be perfect in a few extreme cases.
6. Can typhoid come back after it has been treated?
Yes, some people can experience this illness again after being treated and they will need another round of antibiotics.
