Typhoid is a disease caused by Salmonella typhimurium (S.typhi), a bacterium found in the bloodstream and intestines of humans. The infection is not spread through animals but from one person to another. If left untreated, typhoid can be fatal.
Recently, there has been an increase in the number of typhoid cases across the country, and it is significant to know every essential detail about the disease and ways of prevention.
How is typhoid caused?
The bacterium S.typhi enters your body through the mouth and lives in the intestine for one to three weeks. It then moves through the intestinal walls and reaches the bloodstream. When mixed in your bloodstream, it quickly spreads to other body organs and tissues. Your immune system also fails to fight against the bacteria as it can live in your body cells for days.
What are the symptoms of typhoid?
Some of the main symptoms of typhoid include:
- High fever
- Weakness
- Headaches
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain
- Rash
A few rare symptoms seen in some individuals are diarrhea, vomiting, and confusion. In case you or anyone in your family is experiencing these symptoms, book an appointment with us and avail a proper diagnosis from Dr. Rao.
Who can you prevent typhoid?
One of the many ways in which you an a avoid contracting the disease is vaccination. If you are planning to travel to a region prevalent with typhoid, it is highly recommended to get vaccinated. There are two types of vaccination available for typhoid, oral and shot. However, vaccines are not always effective, and you need to keep your eating habits in check as well.
Typhoid is spread by contact or ingestion of contaminated human feces. The primary source of infection is water. Follow the below-mentioned rules to ensure you are safe from the disease:
- Drink bottled or boiled water.
- Avoid eating junk food or anything out in the streets.
- Only eat food that is freshly prepared and hot.
- Avoid taking ice cubes in your drinks
- Avoid consuming raw fruits and vegetables. Try consuming fruits that can be peeled.
Additional care for individuals recovered from typhoid
The chances are high that the bacteria remain in the host’s body even after the symptoms have faded away. It is advised to be cautious while washing food or communicating with others. People traveling across countries like South America, India, Africa, etc. must be careful.
Talk to our team for an appointment
If you are noticing some symptoms of typhoid and are confused in deciding whom to approach, we have got our team to book you an appointment with Dr. Rao. He will help you with the most reliable diagnosis and treatment process.
