Typhoid Fever: Facts, And FAQ (Frequent Question Answer)

Typhoid also known as enteric fever is caused by salmonella typhi, which is spread by contaminated food and water.

However it is rarely seen in developed countries, but it’s common in developing countries like Africa, and Asia, due to poor, and less access to clean water.

According to WHO, about 11 to 20 million cases of typhoid occur globally every year, and the number of deaths is around 12 lacs to 16 lakhs.

Travelers are more at risk of it, due to travel in developing countries, and children, and older adults due to weakening immune systems (1)

In typhoid cases, prevention is more effective than treatment, maintaining good hygiene, and wearing masks to prevent the virus (2)

So in this post, we will describe to you, its reasons, signs, and symptoms, who are more at risk of this, treatment, and prevention.

Fact’s

Many believe that typhoid came from the typhoid Mary girl, causing 53 people to be infected, three of whom died.

The most common symptom of typhoid is fever, which occurs mostly at night, night sweats, weight loss, headache, and weakness.

It is still a major public health concern, especially in developing countries, due to the lack of clean water, fresh food, and hygiene (4)

The symptoms of typhoid are similar to other illnesses and infections, which makes it difficult to diagnose.

Typhoid fever is spread through contaminated food and water, and can also be spread from person to person through close contact.

Infants, individuals with weak immune systems, and travellers are more at risk of this, and early diagnosis and proper treatment are very effective.

Typhoid fever is a concerning issue, if it is not treated early, and left treatment in between.

Vaccination is an effective way to prevent it, 2 vaccines are recognized (injectable and oral vaccine), and both are considered safe, long-lasting, and effective.

As time passed, the antibiotic also became weaker against typhoid, causing this to become more resistant, even to multiple antibiotics.

For this, there are also several other types of typhoid vaccines are being developed to prevent typhoid in the future.

To prevent typhoid fever, make sure to practice good hygiene and good sanitation such as:

• Wash your hands frequently, especially before eating
• maintain distance b/w you and the patient
• wear the mask, if there is a typhoid patient around you.
• avoid contaminated food and water
• prevent it from spreading

FAQ (frequently asked question)

How Is Typhoid Fever Diagnosed?

Typhoid is diagnosed in several ways which include taking a blood test, stool, and urine samples.

If tests report coming positive, then the doctor considers treatment according to the stage or presence of bacteria in the body.

What is the long-Term Effect of Typhoid on the Body?

Typhoid fever is easily treated by antibiotics, but if it is not treated properly, and left treatment in b/w, then some long-term effects are seen on the body:

• Internal bleeding
• severe headache, fever
• abdominal pain
• even leads to death

What is the Latest Research on Typhoid Vaccines?

Researchers are working on it, because as time passes typhoid bacteria become more resistant to the vaccine, and as a result, the vaccine will not be helpful against typhoid bacteria.

Also, researchers are working on developing new ways to control it, how to prevent it more effectively, and accurate diagnosis ways.

What are the stages of typhoid fever symptoms?

There are 3 stages of typhoid symptoms, where you can see different symptoms in each stage:

In 1st stage (1st week of infection) symptoms – Not frequent fever, but mostly occurs at midnight, night sweats, headache, but fever is also a common sign in other illnesses.

2nd stage symptoms include – high fever, bradycardia, weakness, loss of body weight due to night sweats, diarrhea, some sometimes rashes are also seen.

3rd stage In this stage bacteria become more serious symptoms are – dehydration, constipation, decrease in platelets, Delerium, and internal bleeding.

How long it takes to recover from typhoid fever?

It depends on your immune system, and how strong your immunity is. That is why we said, weak immune systems individuals are more at risk of it.

Generally, it takes several weeks. Also depends on the severity of the infection and the person’s overall health (5)

In addition, during this make sure to drink enough water to prevent dehydration and medication side effects, and eat a well-balanced diet.

Can We Take Shower or Bath During Typhoid?

Yes, of course, you can take a bath, remember to bathe with lukewarm water and bathe one day except for one day.

What foods should be avoided?

• Avoid hard food like rice, chapati, chicken, meat, etc
• Butter, Ghee, paneer, desserts, and fried food items should also be avoided.
• Avoid vegetables like capsicum and cabbage as they cause gas and bloating.
• Avoid spicy, chilli, hot sauce, pickles, acidic food, and (Fast food which is good for health at.)

Why do I get infected with typhoid again and again?

If you have frequent typhoid, then avoid contaminated water, and food, also it may be your immune system.

Here are some ways that you can prevent it permanent:

• Always drink water by boiling it so that the bad bacteria present in it die. 
• avoid street food, because we don’t know exactly what water he cooks, and what kind of species, or oil they add to it.
• if it’s your weak immune system then make it strong through exercise and healthy food,
• Practice good hygiene – wash your hands frequently, especially after the washroom.

Down Line

Typhoid fever is a common, and concerning matter in developing countries, where lack of clean water, and contaminated food are the main reasons.

Vaccines are the best way to prevent it, but in the future researchers developing other new vaccines to fight against typhoid bacteria.

The weak immune systems, infants, travellers, and older adults are more at risk of it.