Typhoid fever is an enteric fever characterized by systemic illness along with abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea, and vomiting, its spread through contaminated food and water, but also through contaminated fingers and feces. It occurs majorly in developing countries including industrialized countries like the USA. Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection that can be life-threatening.
Distribution..
It has a worldwide distribution, occurring majorly in developing countries due to inadequate sanitation, where people have limited access to clean water and safe foods such as part of Asia, Central and South America, Africa, and the Caribbean. It is less common in industrialized nations like the USA, most cases of typhoid fever occur in developed countries from travelers returning back to their nations who spread the illness or through contaminated foods and water.
Causes…
Typhoid fever is caused by a bacterium salmonella typhi( S.typhi) the bacteria is transmitted by the fecal-oral route through water, uncooked foods, and drinks that are contaminated with infected fecal matter. People infected with salmonella typhi carry the bacteria in their intestinal tract and bloodstream. It spreads between individuals through direct contact with the feces of an infected person.
One may also be infected with typhoid fever if one ingests foods, drinks, or beverages prepared by someone who is shedding or discarding the bacteria without washing his/her hands properly. In less developed countries it occurs when sewage containing salmonella typhi is channeled into the river or stream without treatment when local water supplies distribute the water and through a healthy carrier, who might harbor salmonella typhi bacteria not knowing that he/she is infected. No animal carries this disease, so transmission is always from human to human.
When contaminated foods or drinks with salmonella typhi enter the mouth it spends up 1–3 weeks in the intestine, it makes its way from the intestine wall into the bloodstream, and from the bloodstream, it spreads into tissues and organs. The immune system of the infected host cannot fight back because S.typhi can live within the host’s cells.
Symptoms…
At the initial stage, the person may be having stomach pains, fatigue, and fever. As fevers get worse symptoms could include:
1. High Fever up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Body aches
3. Headache
4. Nausea
5. Weakness
6. Stomach pain
7. Constipation with diarrhea
8. Loss of appetite and weakness
9. Small, red spots on your abdomen or chest
10. Chills
11. Cough and sweating
12. Difficulty in paying attention
13. Agitation or confusion( seeing or hearing things that are not real).
Diagnosis…
Your doctor may ask for the following:
1. Blood culture
2. stool culture.
3. Bone marrow
4. Widal test
5. Skin snip test.
The diagnosis is done in order to identify the presence of salmonella typhi in the body.
In other countries, all these procedures may be different like in the USA. Doctors may not consider typhoid fever at first because it’s uncommon, it is important to tell your doctor if you traveled from an infected country with typhoid fever or you have been exposed to an infected person.
Treatment…
Antibiotics are used to treat typhoid fever, this medication kills the bacteria that causes typhoid fever. There are different types of antibiotics that may be used for the treatment of typhoid fever such as ampicillin, chloramphenicol, and cotrimoxazole. However, doctors might also use fluoroquinolones including Cipro and Levaquin. Your doctor will choose based on the most up-to-date recommendations. Don’t attempt to treat yourself, some people might need supportive therapies such as fluids or electrolytes replacement depending on the severity of the infection, when the bowel has become perforated a person may need surgery.
Complications Associated with Typhoid Fever.
When people do not take treatment for typhoid fever for some months, it might result in the following:
1. Kidney failure
2. Intestinal bleeding
3. Lungs complications
4. Myocarditis or pericarditis
5. Bowel perforation.
PREVENTION OF TYPHOID FEVER.
- Improve environment sanitation and adequate medical care.
- Foods and raw meat should be washed and cooked properly
- By drinking wholesome or safe water either bottled water or boil water for at least 1 minute before consumption.
- By frequently washing your hands after using the toilet, before and after eating.
- Choose hot food, avoid food that is served at room temperature
- Avoid eating foods and beverages purchased from street vendors.
- Raw vegetables and fruits should be washed and peeled properly before eating.
In conclusion, Typhoid fever victims should adhere to their treatment, symptoms may return if you didn’t finish your treatment as your doctor recommends.
Stay safe and stay healthy…
