Typhoid fever - symptoms and treatment

 WHAT IS TYPHOID FEVER?

An acute illness which is associated with fever caused by the Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi bacteria - typhoid fever. It also can be caused by Salmonella paratyphi, a related bacterium that sometimes causes a less severe illness. The bacteria are deposited in water or food by a person's carrier and are then spread to people within the area.

Most people with typhoid feel better within a couple of days of starting antibiotic treatment, although alittle number of them may die of complications. Vaccines against typhoid are available, but they're only partially effective. Vaccines usually are reserved for those that could also be exposed to the disease or are traveling to areas where typhoid is common.

Typhoid fever spreads through contaminated water or food when consumed. People who are suffering from typhoid fever  can contaminate the surrounding water supply through stool, which contains a high concentration of the bacteria. Contamination of the water system can, in turn, taint the food supply as it is seen that bacteria can survive for weeks in water or dried sewage.

WHO ARE AT RISK FOR TYPHOID?

you're at increased risk if you:

• Work in or visit areas where typhoid is established (endemic)
• Work as a clinical microbiologist handling typhoid bacillus bacteria
• If you have close contact with someone who is  infected or has recently been infected with typhoid
• Drink water contaminated by sewage that contains Salmonella typhi

Vaccines and antibiotics can be bought online from online pharmacy store in delhi, India.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF TYPHOID?

Typhoid fever is caused by caused by virulent bacteria called Salmonella typhi.

A.)FAECO-ORAL ROUTE TRANSMISSION

Salmonella typhi is passed within the feces and sometimes within the urine of infected people. You can contract the infection if you eat food handled by someone with typhoid who hasn't washed carefully after using the rest room .

B.) TYPHOID CARRIERS

Typhoid carriers are the chronic carriers who shed the bacteria in their feces and are thus capable of infecting others, although they no longer have signs or symptoms of the disease themselves.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF TYPHOID?

Common symptoms which are visible at onset of fever are:

• Poor appetite
• Headaches
• Generalized aches and pains
• Fever as high as 104 degrees Farenheit
• Lethargy
• Diarrhea
• Chest congestion develops in many people, and abdominal pain and discomfort

If you don't receive treatment, you may:

• Become delirious
• Lie motionless and exhausted together with your eyes half-closed in what's referred to as the typhoid state
• In addition, life-threatening complications often develop at this point .

HOW TYPHOID CAN BE PREVENTED?

People who are traveling to areas with high rates of typhoid should receive the vaccine. Two vaccines are available.

• One is injected during a single dose a minimum of one week before travel.
• Other is given orally in four capsules, with one capsule to be taken every other day.

Other measures include:

• Wash your hands frequently before eating and after using toilets
• Avoid drinking untreated water as it may be contaminated.
• Avoid raw fruits and vegetables. Because it may have been washed in unsafe water
• Choose hot foods. Avoid food that's stored or served at temperature .

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT?

Antibiotics that kill the Salmonella bacteria treat typhoid .
Commonly prescribed antibiotics are :

• Chloramphenicol - was original drug of choice until side effects increased.
• Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
• Azithromycin (Zithromax). Given when bacteria is resistant to ciprofloxacin.
• Ceftriaxone. injectable antibiotic

Drinking fluids. This helps prevent the dehydration that results from a prolonged fever and diarrhea. If you're severely dehydrated, you'll got to receive fluids through a vein. 

Upload the prescription online and you can always buy medication online.

CONCLUSION

Typhoid fever is very contagious and contracted by the ingestion of the bacteria in contaminated food or water.Thus vaccination becomes important as well as maintaining hygiene. Details of the vaccination and the choice of vaccine should be discussed with a health care professional.