Typhoid | Enteric Fever | Water disease

 


Typhoid fever is an illness which you get from the bacteria called S. Typhi. Typically, it causes high fever, similar to flu symptoms and diarrhea. Even if you don’t feel sick, you can be contagious with typhoid fever. This typhoid fever can be life-threatening and it should be treated immediately with antibiotics. If you live in places or travel to any areas where typhoid is very common, you must vaccinate yourself.


S. Typhi bacteria present in food and water which causes typhoid fever. If you have close contact with a person who is carrying the salmonella bacteria can cause typhoid fever. Symptoms are:


  • High fever.

  • Headache.

  • Stomach pain.

  • Constipation or diarrhea.


People who have typhoid fever must feel better after a week they start medication to kill the bacteria called antibiotics. If you do not take prompt treatment, there is a chance of death from typhoid fever. But you have a vaccine to fight against typhoid fever which provides some protection. But they cannot protect all illnesses caused by salmonella bacteria. Vaccines will help you to lower your risk of catching typhoid fever.


Symptoms


Usually, symptoms are likely to start gradually which often appear after 1 to 3 weeks exposure to the bacteria.


Early illness

Early symptoms are:


  • Fever starts mildly and it increases gradually throughout the day, it will reach as high as 104 degrees Fahrenheit or 40 degrees Celsius.

  • Chills.

  • Headache.

  • Weakness and fatigue.

  • Muscle aches.

  • Stomach pain.

  • Diarrhea or constipation.

  • Rash.


And you can also experience coughing, loss of appetite and sweating.


Later illness


Few weeks after the exposures, symptoms start gradually which causes problems in the intestines. People may also have:


  • Stomach pain.

  • Very swollen stomach.

  • Sepsis is an infection caused by the gut bacteria which spread throughout the body


In very serious cases, people may:


  • Become confused.

  • Not giving full attention to those around you.

  • Not reacting to the world around them.


The above illnesses are life-threatening complications. In some people, symptoms will return to you after a few weeks of fever.


Causes of typhoid fever


Generally, typhoid fever is caused by the bacteria called S. Typhi or salmonella Typhi. Usually, it lives in the intestines of infected people and also in the contaminated food and water.


Typhoid fever spread


Usually, typhoid fever spreads through the food or water which is contaminated with salmonella Typhi. This can happen if someone touches what you eat or drink without washing their hands with typhoid bacteria. It can also happen if waste water which has poop or pee in it gets into water you drink or if it is used to make food.


You can catch typhoid fever from one person if they do not wash their hands after going to the restroom. When they touch any surfaces or objects like phones or doorknobs, they can leave bacteria behind which can transfer to the other person who touches it.


Diagnosis


Your provider will draw samples of your body fluids or tissues which is test for presence of S. Typhi bacteria. They take samples of your:


  • Blood. Your physician uses a needle to take blood in a small tube from your arm.

  • Poop (stool). Your healthcare professional will give you a sterilized container and give instructions on how to collect a sample.

  • Pee (urine). You may take a pee in a cup given to you by your physician.

  • Your healthcare provider numbs your skin and takes a sample with a razor or scalpel.

  • Bone marrow. Your physician will numb your skin and they use a special needle to draw the sample of the inside of your bones. 


Your physician may also take X-rays to identify any changes in your lungs.


Treatment for typhoid fever



Generally, typhoid fever is treated with antibiotics. Some of the new types of bacteria are able to survive in antibiotic treatments, so you will be treated with various types of antibiotics which usually depend on what type of typhoid fever you are sick and where you get it. And also Paratyphoid fever is treated with antibiotics.


If you are seriously ill or having any complications, you may need additional treatments. You will also need to be hospitalised to get these treatments.


Medications which are used to treat typhoid fever:


Your provider will treat the typhoid fever antibiotic drugs which includes:


  • Ciprofloxacin, levoflaxin or ofloxacin.

  • Ceftriaxone, cefotaxime or cefixime.

  • Azithromycin.

  • Carbapenems.


If your case is severe, you may need steroids like dexamethasone to treat typhoid fever.



Complications of typhoid


If the typhoid fever is not treated immediately, you are at risk for life-threatening complications which includes:


  • Internal bleeding.

  • Intestinal perforation which makes a hole in your intestines.

  • Swollen or burst gallbladder.

  • Neurological symptoms like confusion, delirium and seizures.

  • Swelling around your brain is called meningitis.

  • Bronchitis, pneumonia or other respiratory issues.

  • Bone inflammation is osteomyelitis.

  • Heart inflammation.

  • Kidney failure.

  • Miscarriage.

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