All You Need to Know About Typhoid Fever

Typhoid fever is caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi, which infects the body when a person consumes contaminated food or water. It can be contagious if the infected person passes on the bacteria from their faeces. Also known as enteric fever, typhoid is mostly common in underdeveloped areas with a lack of proper sanitation and hygiene. By taking a Widal test one can know if they have this disease or not.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of typhoid are high fever and rashes. These symptoms start to show in an individual 1 to 3 weeks after they are exposed to the bacteria. There can be several stages of illness; in the first stage, people typically have a fever, headache, weakness, stomach pain, chills, rashes, diarrhoea or constipation, etc. Then, in the later stages, the disease can cause stomach aches, a swollen abdomen, and sepsis. When the illness becomes very serious, it can cause symptoms related to brain fog and even life-threatening complications.

Causes

Typhoid fever’s main cause is the Salmonella typhi bacterium which spreads through contaminated food and beverages (including water). If an infected person even touches objects, typhoid can be passed on from one person to another. Typhoid carriers are contagious even after getting treated, at least for some time. Thus, they should wash their hands carefully before touching food items, especially raw fruits and vegetables.

Diagnosis

There are several tests that a healthcare provider may recommend for diagnosing typhoid fever. Mostly, a well-priced Widal test is recommended to the person after a week of exhibiting symptoms of typhoid fever. The Widal test report may indicate if the person has enteric fever or not. Other than this, several tests of blood, urine, stool, and X-rays may also be recommended to the person.

Prevention

Since typhoid fever is a common disease in a developing nation like India, it is vital for people to practice preventive measures. The best one can do is to take a vaccine to prevent symptoms related to typhoid. In addition to this, it is important to practice hygienic eating and drinking habits, especially in areas where the scope of typhoid outbreaks is high.