Typhoid

Cause of infection

Typhoid, also known as enteric fever, is a serious bacterial disease, caused by Salmonella typhi. The infection is transmitted through food or drink, which are contaminated by excrements or urine of infected people (WHO).

Symptoms and nature of the disease

According to a WHO report, severe cases of typhoid show a gradual onset of fever, headache, physical discomfort, loss of appetite and sleeping difficulty. Constipation, too, is prominent in adults and older children, more than diarrhoea. In about 20% of the cases of light-skinned patients, pink spots ‘rose spots’ appear on the body. If untreated, the patient may develop life-threatening gastrointestinal and cerebral complications by the third week. Fatality rate is known to be high in children below four years. A small percentage of the people may also become carriers of this disease.

Prevention

Use safe drinking water. Boiled and cooled water is good. The drinking glass/bottle must be clean. Avoid drinking water from a common glass or a bottle. The Indian (South Asia) way of holding the bottle above the mouth without touching is the best way to drink from a water bottle. Wash hands with soap after using the toilet. Wash hands before eating and before cooking food. Wash thoroughly any vegetable item that is eaten uncooked including fruits. Avoid eating uncooked or half-cooked non-vegetarian items.

The same precaution will hold good for Paratyphoid as well.

Treatment

Contact your doctor immediately.

Other common contagious diseases dealt with in this website are:

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