Typhoid

Overview

Typhoid, also called enteric fever, is a contagious illness that is caused due to the entry of a specific bacterium into the body. Although prominent symptoms do not accompany the symptoms in their initial stages, it is mandatory to get diagnosed and treated as soon as the symptoms start to appear. Otherwise, it can cause life-threatening complications and might prove to be fatal. Getting vaccinated happens to be one of the most effective ways of preventing this condition.

What is Typhoid?

Typhoid is a contagious illness that primarily occurs in people residing in developing countries, especially in areas with improper sanitation. Usually, it occurs more commonly in children than in adults. Some of the common signs of typhoid include high fever and stomach ache.

The condition can spread when a healthy person comes in contact with food or water that was once used by an infected person. Also, it can spread via contaminated surfaces such as door knobs or by sharing toilets with an infected person.

Types of Typhoid

There are usually 2 types of typhoid, typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever. Although their symptoms are somewhat the same, there are a few minor differences between the two. These include:

Typhoid Fever: This is a common condition that is caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi. Mostly, doctors recommend antibiotics to treat this condition, without which about 1 in 5 people dies.

Paratyphoid Fever: This is a somewhat less common condition than typhoid fever and is caused by the bacterium Salmonella paratyphi. Generally, it is less severe and non-fatal, when compared to typhoid.

Symptoms of Typhoid

Usually, it takes about 1 to 3 weeks for the symptoms of this disease to appear after the entry of the bacteria into the human body. Some of the early symptoms of the disease include chills, fever (about 104 degrees), weakness and fatigue, headache, stomach pain, diarrhoea, muscle ache, constipation, and rash. Additionally, infected information may also experience loss of appetite, cough, and sweating. After a few days, people might witness extremely swollen stomachs, sepsis, and stomach pain. In case of severe infections, people might also suffer from confusion, lack of attention, and inability to react promptly to situations.

Causes of Typhoid

The bacterium that results in the development of typhoid fever is Salmonella typhi. The bacterial strain Salmonella enterica serotype typhi lives in the intestines of the infected individual, contaminating food and water. The other strains of this bacteria develop paratyphoid fever.

Typhoid is a highly contagious disease and can easily spread from one person to the other. Additionally, uncooked food or the use of contaminated water for drinking purposes are also included within typhoid causes, as they can help in the transmission of the bacteria.

Countries like South Asia and Africa witness frequent typhoid outbreaks, implying that the residents of this country are prone to the development of this condition. Moreover, people who come in contact with travellers to and from this country are also at risk of developing this disease.

Diagnosis of Typhoid

To confirm the development of typhoid, healthcare providers study the symptoms of the patient as well as learn about their travel history. Additionally, they will also conduct certain physical exams and prescribe some tests for accurate diagnosis. Pathologists can test a person's blood, stool, urine, and bone marrow to check the presence of S. typhi. Furthermore, imaging tests such as X-rays can also be used to check for changes in the lungs.

The typhoid fever develops gradually in four stages. These stages include:

Stage 1: After about 14 days of coming in contact with the causal organism, the infected person starts showing some of the early signs of the condition. In this stage, the bacteria is just entering the blood and as the days pass, the symptoms intensify.

Stage 2: During the second week of the fever, the symptoms intensify. Infected people will start noticing excess abdominal pain and other symptoms such as constipation, diarrhoea, etc. People might even notice rashes on their skin.

Stage 3: Usually, around the third week of the disease, the symptoms can cause severe damage to the health, if not treated on time with antibiotics. People might even experience complications like encephalitis and internal bleeding.

Stage 4: This is the last stage, wherein most people start to recover from the disease. However, S. typhi continues to reside in the gallbladder, implying that they are somewhat contagious ever after recovering completely.

Typhoid Treatment

Since the causal organism for typhoid is a bacterium the most popular treatment option happens to be antibiotics. The doctors choose the antibiotics based on the type of typhoid that the person has developed and the place where the person has developed the disease. Even, in the case of paratyphoid fever, antibiotics are used as a primary treatment option. Some of the popularly prescribed typhoid medications include ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, cefixime, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin or ofloxacin, carbapenems, and azithromycin. However, if there are severe complications, doctors may also prescribe medications like dexamethasone. Furthermore, healthcare providers can also suggest additional treatments if the patient has complications.

Preventive Measures for Typhoid

Typhoid is highly contagious in nature. Hence, it is imperative for healthy people to wash their hands frequently and handle food safely to avoid the spread of germs. The best way, however, to prevent the development of typhoid is to get vaccinated. There are two types of typhoid vaccination, injectable vaccine (shot) and oral vaccine. It is essential to note that the effect of vaccine does not last long. So, it is imperative to get additional doses to stay protected. Also, these vaccines do not completely eliminate the chances of developing the condition. Hence, people must take the necessary measures to maintain a safe distance from the virus.

Myths and Facts Related to Typhoid

Listed below are some popular myths and facts associated with typhoid:

Myth 1: One Can Treat Typhoid Using Home-Made Remedies
Fact: Typhoid is primarily caused by the bacteria S. typhi. Hence, antibiotics are needed to cure the patient completely. No home remedies can be effective in killing the bacteria to cure the disease.

Myth 2: After Treatment, Typhoid Does Not Relapse
Fact: The first-time occurrence and treatment of typhoid does not offer lifelong immunity to the condition. Hence, it is imperative to get vaccinated for continued protection from this disease.

Myth 3: Typhoid is Only Caused by Contaminated Food
Fact: Drinking contaminated water along with consumption of contaminated food can result in the development of this condition. So, a person must stay cautious from both dirty food and water to stay protected from typhoid.

Myth 4: Typhoid Can Easily Spread through Sneezing and Coughing
Fact: Typhoid does not spread through the respiratory droplets. The condition primarily spreads through the fecal-oral route. Hence, there is no harm if an infected person sneezes in front of a healthy person.

Myth 5: Fevers in Tropical Countries Mostly Occur Due to Typhoid
Fact: There are various diseases for which fever happens to be a common sign. Hence, if a person develops a fever, they will need to check for other signs so they can receive on-time treatment to get cured of the condition.