Typhoid Fever: Symptoms Treatment and Diet Plan

Salmonella typhi is the bacterium that causes typhoid fever. Although it is rare in developed countries, it remains a major health hazard in the underdeveloped world, particularly for children.

Typhoid fever is caused by contaminated food and water, as well as intimate contact with an infected individual.

Signs and symptoms generally include:

• High fever
• Headache
• Stomach Pain
• Constipation or diarrhoea

Most people with typhoid fever feel better a few days after starting antibiotics, but a small number of them can die from complications.

Typhoid vaccines are only partially effective. Vaccines are generally reserved for those who may be exposed to the disease or who travel to areas where typhoid fever is common.

What Is Typhoid Fever?

It is an infection caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi. It affects the gut and bloodstream, causing a high fever. A milder form of the illness can also be caused by a similar germ, Salmonella paratyphi.

These germs spread through contaminated water or food, often carried by infected people.

Symptoms of Typhoid Fever?

Look out for these signs and symptoms:

• High fever (103° - 104°F)
• Headache
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea or constipation (very common)
• Loss of appetite and severe weight loss.
• Weakness
• Rash with flat pink spots in pale-skinned people.
• Some people do not show any signs or symptoms and are called carriers.

Some people do not show any signs or symptoms and are called carriers.

5 Stages of Typhoid Fever

Incubation Period

• Duration: 1 to 3 weeks.
• Description: The Salmonella Typhi bacteria multiply without causing symptoms.

Initial Symptoms

• Duration: Few days.
• Description: Mild symptoms like low-grade fever, headache, fatigue, and malaise appear.

Progressive Symptoms

• Duration: About a week.
• Description: Symptoms intensify, including high fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, and rose-colored spots.

Severe Illness

• Duration: 1-2 weeks.
• Description: Critical symptoms such as persistent high fever, severe abdominal pain, and risk of complications occur.

Recovery or Complications

• Duration: Several weeks for recovery.
• Description: With treatment, symptoms improve; untreated cases can lead to severe complications.

Typhoid Fever Causes

• Contaminated Food and Water: Ingesting food or water that has been tainted with Salmonella Typhi.
• Person-to-Person Transmission: Direct interaction with an infected person, particularly in unhygienic environments.
• Improper Food Handling: Food that is prepared by carriers who fail to maintain adequate hand hygiene.
• Travelling to High-Risk Areas: Traveling to locations with inadequate sanitation and hygiene practices heightens the risk of exposure.
• Compromised Immune System: Those with weakened immune systems are at a greater risk of contracting the infection.

How does Typhoid Fever Spread?

• It spreads when you eat or drink something contaminated with germs from poop or pee.
• Dirty water or food contaminated with sewage can carry these germs and make you sick.
• In areas with poor sanitation and among people who don't wash their hands well, the germs spread easily through contaminated water and food, causing it.
• In cities, it often happens when people who carry the germs handle food without washing their hands properly.

Typhoid Fever Treatment and Medication

• Antibiotics
• Fluid replacement for fever and diarrhea
• Small, frequent and high-calorie (energy) meals
• Blood replacement if there is bleeding in the stool (faeces).

How can you Protect Yourself from Typhoid Fever?

• Wash your hands with soap FIRST for at least 20 seconds.
• Buy bottled water, but if you use tap water, let it boil for 1 minute before drinking. Bottled sparkling water is safer than still water.
• Order drinks without ice unless the ice is made from bottled or boiled water. Avoid popsicles and flavoured ice creams that may have been made with contaminated water.
• Eat foods that are well cooked and that are still hot and steaming.
• Avoid raw fruits and vegetables that can't be peeled. Vegetables like lettuce are easily contaminated and very difficult to wash well.
• Fruits and vegetables that can be peeled are safer than those that cannot be peeled. Peel them yourself, and don't eat the peels.
• Avoid food and drink from street vendors. It is difficult to keep clean food on the street, and many travellers get sick from food bought from street vendors.
• Remember this tip when travelling to avoid typhoid fever:"Boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it.

How to Diagnose Typhoid Fever?

When you are affected by typhoid fever, your healthcare provider will perform a complete physical examination to detect the symptoms of it, and based on that, the necessary clinical tests for typhoid fever will be recommended.

In addition, your doctor will take a detailed trip, as well as medical history, to assess your exposure to it.

• Tests to be recommended for typhoid fever: If you have the disease, your complete blood count will show an increase in the white blood cell (WBC) count.
• ELISA: A recent diagnostic test, the ELISA urine test, was done to detect the bacteria that caused the disease.
• Fluorescent Antibody Study: In this study, any substance that is specific to the bacteria is looked for.
• Platelet Count: The platelet count for the person affected by the disease is usually low.
• Stool Culture: This is done to determine the presence of the bacteria in the stool.

Complications of Typhoid Fever

Possible complications that can result when the person is diagnosed with typhoid fever:

• Kidney failure
• Severe gastrointestinal bleeding
• Intestinal perforation
• Peritonitis

Basic Treatments for Typhoid Fever

• Ensuring proper hygiene and sanitation will definitely protect you against typhoid bacteria infection.
• Persistent hand washing to keep bacteria at bay.
• Careful food preparation is necessary as bacteria are spread by faeces that come into contact with drinking water and food.
• Eat hot and fresh food, as high temperatures make it difficult for bacteria to grow.
• Avoid eating raw vegetables and fruits and also drinking contaminated or untreated water.
• Keep all your household items (especially the kitchen) properly cleaned and sanitised.
• If you travel to any part of the world that puts you at high risk for typhoid fever, vaccination is the best option available.

Progressive Diet Plan During Typhoid Fever

A progressive diet, from a liquid diet to a normal diet depending on the tolerance level, would help the person's appetite during it.

• Drink fluids such as tender coconut water, barley water, electrolyte-fortified water, fresh fruit juice, vegetable soup, buttermilk, and water until your body temperature returns to normal.
• To start, eat a liquid diet for a few days and then gradually eat fruits such as bananas, melons, watermelons, grapes, peaches, and apricots. It is best to avoid solid foods unless the person is very hungry.
• As the person's appetite improves, semisolid food should be given during it. You can give boiled rice, baked potato, boiled or poached eggs, baked apple, yoghurt, or vegetable soup.
• Once you've recovered from typhoid fever, you can eat fruits, boiled vegetables, and unprocessed meals like unpolished rice and white bread.
• A typhoid fever recovery diet plan should include yoghurt and eggs, as they are easier to digest than meat and provide adequate protein. Lentils, legumes, and cottage cheese meet the protein needs for vegetarians.

Foods to Avoid During Typhoid Fever

Dietary precautions during typhoid fever treatment ensure that the disease does not become severe and help relieve the discomfort of it.

• Avoid foods rich in fibre during typhoid fever: the intake of whole grains and their products, such as oatmeal, whole wheat bread, and raw vegetables in the form of salads, are rich in fibre. It can increase the stress on your digestive system.
• Avoid vegetables like cabbage, bell peppers, and turnips, as they can cause bloating and gas during it.
• To prevent the digestive tract from becoming more inflamed, avoid fatty foods, spices, and condiments such as cayenne and chilli powder.

Frequently Asked Questions