Categories
- Cardiology 84
- Dermatology 45
- Endocrinology 33
- ENT 16
- Fertility 190
- Gastroenterology 78
- General-Medicine 81
- Gynecology 80
- Hematology 19
- Infectious-Diseases 33
- Neurology 52
- Oncology 34
- Ophthalmology 23
- Orthopedics 69
- Pediatrics 31
- Procedure 23
- Public-Health 144
- Pulmonology 59
- Radiology 8
- Urology 68
- Wellness 161
- Woman-and-child 77
![Typhoid Fever Typhoid Fever](https://www.medicoverhospitals.in/images/articles/typhoid-fever.webp)
Typhoid fever: Overview
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 diarrhea
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?
Typhoid fever is an infection caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi. It affects the gut and bloodstream, causing a high fever. Another similar germ, called Salmonella paratyphi, can also cause a milder form of the illness.
These germs spread through contaminated water or food, often carried by infected people.
Secure your health with a second opinion. Make informed decisions and book your appointment today!
Get A Second OpinionHow can you know if you have typhoid fever?
Look out for these signs and symptoms:
- High fever (103º - 104ºF)
- 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.
How does typhoid fever spread?
- Typhoid fever 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 typhoid fever.
- In cities, typhoid fever often happens when people who carry the germs handle food without washing their hands properly.
How can typhoid fever be treated?
- 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 typhoid fever, 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 typhoid fever.
- 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
How to prevent 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.
What should I eat during typhoid fever?
- Bland and relaxing diet : Stick to simple and calming foods.
- Attention to diet : Be careful about what you eat since it's important for treatment.
- Easy-to-digest meals : Choose foods that are easy on the stomach.
- Nutritionally adequate : Even though the food is bland, make sure it still gives your body the right nutrients and energy.
- More protein : Your body needs extra protein during typhoid fever to stay strong.
- Meet nutrient requirements : Make sure your meals have everything your body needs to stay healthy.
- Balance water and electrolytes : Drink enough fluids and eat foods that help maintain a good balance of water and salts in your body.
- Avoid irritation : Eating the right foods helps prevent stomach irritation and makes typhoid fever less severe.
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 typhoid fever.
- 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 typhoid fever. 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 typhoid fever.
- 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 typhoid fever.
- Avoid fatty foods, spices, and condiments such as cayenne and chilli powder to prevent the digestive tract from becoming more inflamed.
Diet tips during typhoid fever
- Drink boiled water and keep your body hydrated when affected by typhoid fever.
- Consume 3 to 4 litres of liquids, such as water, fruit juices, tender coconut water, and soup.
- Eat small, frequent meals instead of large meals to facilitate digestion and for maximum use of nutrients by the body.
- Try not to include spices as much as possible until typhoid recovers.
- Slowly introduce protein into your diet in the form of eggs, yoghurt, and boiled fish; depending on your tolerance level, increase the serving size.
Ready to take control of your health journey? Book your appointment now and start your path towards wellness today!
Book an AppointmentFrequently Asked Questions
Typhoid fever is a life-threatening infection caused by the Salmonella Typhi bacterium.
Most healthy adults get better on their own, but some untreated people may have a fever for weeks or months. Typhoid fever is frequently treated with antibiotics.
Yes, typhoid fever is dangerous but curable. Antibiotics that destroy Salmonella bacteria are used to treat it. Before the introduction of antibiotics, the death rate was 20%. An overwhelming infection, pneumonia, intestinal haemorrhage, or intestinal perforation were the causes of death.
- If you start treatment early, typhoid fever usually lasts 7 to 10 days.
- But if you don't get treated or start treatment late, it can stick around for three weeks or more.
- If you have problems or the fever comes back after seeming to get better, it might take even longer to feel completely well again.
![Book Free Appointment](https://www.medicoverhospitals.in/images/form_person.webp)
Categories
- Cardiology 84
- Dermatology 45
- Endocrinology 33
- ENT 16
- Fertility 190
- Gastroenterology 78
- General-Medicine 81
- General 6
- Gynecology 80
- Hematology 19
- Infectious-Diseases 33
- Neurology 52
- Oncology 34
- Ophthalmology 23
- Orthopedics 69
- Pediatrics 31
- Procedure 23
- Public-Health 144
- Pulmonology 59
- Radiology 8
- Urology 68
- Wellness 161
- Woman-and-child 77