Typhoid Fever: Want to know more about it?

Overview

Typhoid fever is a type of enteric fever defined as any bacterial infection that can affect different body organs caused by a bacterium called  Salmonella serotype, related to bacteria that can cause salmonellosis, a type of food poisoning.

It damages the small intestine and shows symptoms like high fever and stomach pain. If there is no proper treatment, then it can be fatal.

Consumption of any food or drink containing species of salmonella typhi or salmonella Para typhi can cause typhoid fever. Bacteria multiply and spread into the bloodstream, which causes severe damage.

Estimated cases of typhoid fever:

According to research, 11 million to 21 million people get infected yearly. It is rare in Australia, Canada, Japan and Western Europe.

Causes of typhoid fever

Salmonella typhi is caused by consuming contaminated food or drinking water containing bacteria, which then enter the body, multiply, and move towards the small intestine and blood. They travel to lymph nodes, gall bladder, liver, spleen and other body parts there.

Some people become a carrier of bacteria and continue spreading bacteria to fatal parts of the body.

Learn more about the causes of typhoid fever.

Symptoms of typhoid fever

The incubation period of bacteria (salmonella typhi) is 1-2 weeks, but illness duration can be 3-4 weeks. Its symptoms include;

• Poor appetite/ anorexia
• Headaches
• High fever not less the 104°F (40°C)
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Fatigue
• Nausea and vomiting
• Muscle pain

Abdominal pain and discomfort are joint. Many people develop chest congestion. High fever remains constant, which reduces immunity against diseases. People feel tired after some walk. Many people recover within 15-30 days with medication.

Stages of typhoid fever:

There are four stages of typhoid fever. First, two will be fine and easily treated, while the others are chronic.

The First Stage:

In this stage, the victim feels mild symptoms like cough, pain in the stomach or headache. Fever is not compulsory here. But if you feel tired, then there might be chances of a low fever.

The Second Stage:

 In this stage, the patient feels a bloated stomach and a high fever. The patient may lose some of his weight. Hallucinations or fever dreams are shared.

The Third Stage:

This stage is quite chronic, where intestinal perforation can cause abdominal haemorrhage. Inflammation of brain cells can also occur. Your body feels dehydrated, which increases the chances of delirium. It also creates some difficulty in sitting, walking and standing.

The Fourth Stage:

This stage is more chronic, where several health issues are at risk, including kidney failure, high fever, pneumonia, and pancreas inflammation.

People whose bodies don’t resist bacteria show more complications. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 1% and 4% of salmonella species are still in patients’ faeces 12 months after being treated for typhoid.

How to diagnose typhoid fever:

If you are feeling some signs and symptoms of typhoid, then it’s good to visit a doctor and have a proper checkup and test prescribed by the doctor.

There are some tests to diagnose the signs of S. typhi; these are

Blood, Poop, Urine, and Bone marrow.

Treatment against typhoid:

There are some recommended treatments to fight against typhoid, these are;

Oral rehydration therapy:

Oral rehydration therapy was again discovered in the 1960s, which gives another way to prevent deaths from diarrheal diseases.

Antibiotics:

Timely-treated fever is not fatal by using antibiotics like ampicillin, chloramphenicol, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, amoxicillin, and ciprofloxacin.

Surgery:

If there is excellent bacterial damage within the intestine, intestinal perforation occurs. Most surgeons recommend simply closure of perforation with drainage of the peritoneum.

Monsoon can increase chances of fever:

There is a high chance of food and water contamination during monsoon season due to the increased number of bacteria. It is advised to take extra care, note symptoms, and have proper treatment. If one of your family members already suffers from the disease, you must follow his routine during the season and be safe.  

 Questions that I asked my doctor:

• How much time is required to treat my disease?
• What can I use to treat my symptoms at home?
• Are my typhoid symptoms transferable to others?
• When can I visit again for a checkup?
• What is the best time for a typhoid test after medication?

Who do I take care of myself:

In recovery from typhoid fever, you must visit your doctor for a routine checkup, follow his prescriptions, and have some tests to check that you are no more contagious.  

If you get positive results, you need further treatment and should vaccinate against typhoid.

Sources

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557513

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9639-headaches

https://rabiahabib.com/screen-time-for-kids-7-tips-to-manage-its-use/

https://rabiahabib.com/food-poisoningblog/