Typhoid Fever – An Overview

Patients of typhoid fever are found across the globe but this disease is widely prevalent in the developing countries. This is a severe disease that needs immediate medical attention and appropriate treatment so as to save the patients from developing any complications.

People suffering from typhoid fever should take proper care and precaution because it is a highly contagious disease and you may spread your disease to your other family members. Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection that is caused by the bacteria – Salmonella typhi. People usually get infected with when they consume water or food stuffs that have been contaminated with Salmonella typhi.

According to the estimation of the WHO, about 21 million cases of typhoid fever are detected each year. Typhoid fever can lead to deaths if it is not treated timely. Some of the major symptoms shown by people suffering from typhoid fever include persistent fever, high fever, nausea, striking headache, depression, and severe lack of appetite. At times, typhoid fever may also be coupled with constipation and hoarse cough.

Doctors confirm the infection in the patients with the help of diagnosis and certain tests. The presumptive test to the typhoid fever is known as the Widal test, in which the patient’s stool or blood samples are made use of. Other tests may also include platelet count, and stool culture.

The typhoid patients may need to be hospitalized where they can be treated with antibiotics. A wide range of antibiotics are available now-a-days for the treatment of typhoid fever. The most popular antibiotics used to combat the typhoid fever are ciprofloxacin and ampicillin.

Few people who have been infected by the salmonella typhi bacteria become carriers of the disease after the first severe infection. These people are treated by administering an extended antibiotics course. In few cases, gallbladder of the patient is removed to get rid of the infection.

Getting vaccinated against the typhoid bacterial infection is a must for travelers before visiting places where this disease is very common. Take care to get vaccinated about 2 weeks prior to travelling. This will keep you safe for at least three years.

You must see your doctor if you have visited any of the endemic places and have developed the symptoms of typhoid fever.