Typhoid fever occurs due to a severe bacterial infection caused by the Salmonella typhi. This infectious disease can be life-threatening, especially if left untreated. Typhoid fever is a common illness in people living in developing countries, but it can also affect people living in Other regions. A clear understanding of the signs, symptoms, causes, stages, and diagnostic tests of typhoid fever is helpful to take proactive steps for effective treatment and recovery.

Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of typhoid fever usually develop gradually, starting with vomiting and high fever. Headache, fatigue, abdominal pain or discomfort, and reduced appetite are typical symptoms. Diarrhea or constipation, cough, and a faint rash on the chest and abdomen may also be present. As the disease progresses, complications like intestinal bleeding, hepatitis, meningitis, and pneumonia can occur.

Causes of Typhoid fever

Typhoid fever is commonly contracted through contaminated food or water sources. Typhoid fever is caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi. This bacteria can survive outside the human body in contaminated water and food. It spreads primarily through fecal-oral transmission, where the bacteria present in the stool of an infected person enters a healthy person's digestive system. It can also pass through direct contact with a person infected by typhoid.

Stages of Typhoid fever

There are four stages of typhoid fever, namely the incubation period, the first stage, the second stage, and the third stage. The incubation period ranges from 3 to 60 days, depending on the host's immunity. The first stage lasts around one week and is characterized by the gradual onset of fever, headache, malaise, constipation, and sometimes loss of appetite. In the second stage, symptoms worsen, and the patient may experience diarrhea, stomach pain, and dehydration. The third stage is characterized by high fever, multiple organ involvement, and life-threatening complications such as intestinal bleeding, perforation, and other severe side effects.

Diagnostic Tests

There are different diagnostic tests to detect typhoid fever, including blood cultures, stool cultures, and serologic tests. Blood cultures are the most used tests to diagnose typhoid fever, as they detect the presence of Salmonella typhi in the blood. Stool cultures are also relevant as they detect bacteria in the feces. Serologic tests known as widal test measure the levels of antibodies produced by the body to combat the disease.

Treatment Options

The primary treatment for typhoid fever is antibiotics; however, it is the severity of the illness and the age of the patient which determines the antibiotics to be prescribed. Hospitalization is recommended to monitor and protect the patient from spreading the infection to other people. A patient's diet should be maintained while treating the fever. Food and drinks, rich in proteins, minerals, and vitamins, are highly recommended. Also, people can get vaccination for typhoid fever before traveling to high-risk zones, hence it is also advisable to consult health experts, before making travel plans.

Typhoid fever lasts for a week or less if it is diagnosed in the early stages, but it will last longer if diagnosis happens in the later stages, when the symptoms have got worsened.

In general, the best way to beat typhoid fever is to avoid it altogether. Practice of healthy habits like washing hands regularly, drinking clean water and eating properly and neatly cooked food etc., helps to avoid getting typhoid fever.

Early diagnosis: Quicker recovery

If you or your loved ones experience any symptoms of typhoid, then early diagnosis plays a crucial role in quicker recovery. So, consult a healthcare provider if you have any symptoms of typhoid such as high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, severe weakness etc. Also, get your diagnostic tests done at the AMPATH labs, to book an appointment, click here.

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. If you have concerns about your health or suspect you may have sarcoma, please consult with a qualified healthcare professional for proper evaluation and treatment.