TYPHOID FEVER

Typhoidfever is an infective illness caused by a bacteria called Salmonella typhi (S.typhi).  There is another illness, Paratyphoid fever, caused by Salmonella paratyphi A, B and C. Together, they are referred to as ENTERIC FEVER. However, paratyphoid fever is usually milder.

Both are spread via contaminated food and/or water.

The period between infection and manifestation of symptoms is 10 to 14 days

S.typhi can survive in water for 7 days, in sewage for 14days, and in ice cream for 1 month.

It affects all age groups, male and female alike.

Humans are the only reservoir of infection.

Some people are CARRIERS of the infection and shed the organism in their faeces and/ or urine. The organism hides in their gall bladder and is "discharged" intermittently.

 

How does one get infected?

•   Contaminated food,directly by a carrier food handler

•   Contaminated water : from a polluted water source, or that contaminated by faeces.

•   Milk borne: either by direct contamination via a carrier or from utensils
•   Ice cream: directly contaminated via a carrier
•   Vegetables and salads, especially if grown with human faeces as manure
•  Flies

 

Features:

-First week:

•   Fever

•   Headache
•   Body pains
•   Constipation
•   Vomiting and stooling in children

By the end of second week, complications may set in such as:

•   Perforation of the intestine
•   Meningitis
•   Kidney infection
•   Arthritis

 

Important laboratory tests:

-First week

•   White cell count
•   Blood culture

-Second week

•   Stool and urine culture

 

WIDAL REACTION IS NOT A RELIABLE TEST FOR DIAGNOSIS and should be interpreted with caution especially in those who have been vaccinated.

 

Prevention

•   Sanitary disposal of faeces
•   Water purification
•   Good personal hygiene
•   Hand washing
•   Vaccination

 

After treatment, stool and urine samples should be negative for the bacteria on 3 occasions carried out at minimum of 48hrs interval.

 

 

Ignorance can kill. Stay informed, stay healthy.