Typhoid fever: Symptom, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention

 

A bacterial infection called typhoid can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and a high fever. The bacterium Salmonella typhimurium is to blame (S. typhi). If a doctor diagnoses it early, antibiotics can be used to treat it. Typhoid can be fatal if it persists.

Typhoid is typically spread by eating or drinking infected food or water. Additionally, carriers who are unaware that they carry the germs could spread it from one person to another.

In areas where sanitation and hygiene are less effective, typhoid is more common.

An acute condition known as typhoid fever is brought on by a fever and bacteria of the Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi. Salmonella paratyphi, a similar bacterium that often causes a less serious sickness, can also be the cause. A human carrier spreads the bacteria by dispersing it in food or water, where it is subsequently consumed by other people nearby.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are around 5,700 cases of typhoid reported in the US each year. The majority of people get diagnosed after visiting another country, thus they probably picked it up there.

Typhoid affects between 11 and 20 million individuals annually worldwide.

Here are a few important details concerning typhoid. The main article contains more information.

• Typhoid cases that go untreated result in death in 10% to 30% of cases.
• High fever and gastrointestinal (GI) problems are among the symptoms.
• Antibiotics are the only cure for typhoid.

Describe typhoid:

S. typhi is a bacterium that causes the infection typhoid.

Human blood and intestines are home to the bacteria. Direct contact with the infected person's excrement is how it travels from one person to another

Since no animals are capable of carrying this illness, only humans may spread it. S. typhi enters through the mouth and stays in the intestine for 1-3 weeks. After that, it enters the bloodstream after passing through the gut wall.

It spreads into various tissues and organs from the bloodstream. Because S. typhi can dwell within the host's cells and is immune system-safe, the host's immune system is powerless to fight back.

Typhoid is diagnosed by medical professionals looking for S. typhi.

Symptoms:

Symptoms usually appear 1-3 weeks after bacterial contact.

Typhoid has two primary symptoms: fever and rash. The temperature associated with typhoid is extremely high, gradually rising over several days to 104°F.

Rose-colored dots make up the rash, which does not affect everyone and is most noticeable on the neck and abdomen.

Additional signs can include:

• Diarrhea
• Bloating
• Nausea
• Weakness
• Abdomen ache
• Constipation
• Lack of appetite
• Headaches
• Various aches and pains all throughout
• Lethargy

Causes:

The bacteria S. typhi is what causes typhoid. It spreads by contaminated food, beverages, and drinking water that has fecal matter in it. If the water is contaminated, washing fruits and vegetables might transmit the disease as well.

Typhoid can affect some people even when they show no symptoms. After their symptoms have subsided, some people keep the germs in their bodies. The illness can occasionally return.

Typhoid-positive individuals may not be permitted to work with youngsters or senior citizens until subsequent negative medical tests.

Diagnosis:

The Salmonella bacteria infect the small intestine and momentarily enter the circulation following consumption of tainted food or water. White blood cells transport the germs to the liver, spleen, and bone marrow, where they proliferate and enter the bloodstream once more. At this point, people start to exhibit symptoms, including fever. The biliary system, the lymphatic tissue of the bowel, and the gallbladder are all invaded by bacteria. They multiply greatly in this place. Stool samples can be used to identify the bacteria once they enter the intestinal system. Blood or urine samples will be collected to obtain a diagnosis if a test result is unclear.

Typhoid fever is often diagnosed by a clinician based on a patient's unique medical history in order to distinguish it from paratyphoid, an infection brought on by Salmonella enterica. While the signs of this virus are similar to those of typhoid, it is less likely to be fatal.

Treatment:

Antibiotics are the sole effective treatment for typhoid. Cipro (ciprofloxacin) is most frequently prescribed by doctors to non-pregnant patients.

In addition to these, a doctor might prescribe:

• Chloramphenicol 
• Ampicillin 
• Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim 
• Chloramphenicol should not be used during pregnancy.

Typhoid patients should consume enough water to rehydrate themselves. A person may require surgery in more serious circumstances where the bowel has become perforated.

However, there is concern about the escalating antibiotic resistance of S. typhi, as there is with a number of other bacterial diseases.

Multi drug-resistant typhoid epidemics have occurred, such as the one that occurred in Pakistan in 2018 and in which patients exhibited resistance to five distinct antibiotic classes.

The CDC advises taking preventive measures because of this, like working to:

• Boost vaccination rates
• Sanitize and be more hygienic
• Improve tracking of infected individuals to prevent spread

Prevention:

Typhoid cases seem to be more common in nations with limited access to clean water and laundries.

If a doctor knows a patient will be travelling to an area where the condition is endemic, they may choose to administer antibiotics as a preventative measure. They frequently recommend ceftriaxone  or cefixime  in addition to azithromycin

These additional precautions are:

Typhoid vaccination is advised before visiting a region with a high risk of the disease.

Both an oral pill and a one-time injection are available for the typhoid vaccine:

Oral:

• This live, attenuated vaccination is for adults and children older than 6 years old. Capsule. It consists of four pills, the last of which should be taken at least a week prior to departure. It should be taken every other day. However, the capsule version is not presently offered in the United States.

Injectable:

• This inactivated vaccination must be received two weeks prior to travel by adults and children over the age of two. A booster shot should be administered two weeks prior to departure for those who have already had the immunization.

• In areas where typhoid is widespread, the following general guidelines should be followed to reduce the risk of infection:

• Ideally carbonated, sip water from a bottle.
• If bottled water is not available, boil any accessible water for at least one minute before drinking.
• Anything that has been handled by someone else should be avoided.
• Eat only hot meals, and avoid eating at street food stands.
• Drinks shouldn't contain ice.
• Beware of uncooked fruit.

Complications:

Typhoid fever can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal bloating in affected individuals. Hospitalization is required right away due to this.

A person can also experience the following complications:

• Stomach ulcers and bleeding
• Perforation of the bowel, which may cause peritonitis. About 8 to 39% of persons experience this Trusted Source.
• Sepsis
• Lung issues include an empyema, an abscess, or a bronchopleural fistula
• Typhoid encephalopathy, which has a 55% mortality rate
• Meningitis
• Neurological signs such stiffness in the muscles and psychosis
• The pericarditis or myocarditis