Typhoid

Typhoid fever is an epidimic caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi. The bacteria is accumulated in water or food by a human carrier and is then spread to other people in the area. Typhoid fever spreads through contaminated food and water or through dense contact with someone who's infected. Signs and symptoms generally include high fever, headache, abdominal pain and either constipation or diarrhea. Mexico and South America are the most common regions for U.S. citizens to contract typhoid fever. When medicated with antibiotics most people feel better within a few days although a small percentage especially older adults and those with chronic diseases may die of complications.

Typhoid fever is still common in the developing world, where it strikes about 12.5 million persons each year. Only around 400 cases occur each year in the United States. Sometimes cases occur in international travellers, especially those arriving from developing countries, but these isolated cases do not pose a chance of spread within Canada because water and sewage is treated to kill bacteria. There is no requirement for routine vaccination against typhoid of any persons who deal with international travellers, as the disease is not transmitted directly from person to person.

Typhoid fever is a passable infection of the intestines that affects the whole body. Even when signs have gone, about 1 in 10 people who have had typhoid fever remain carriers. A spunky Irish cook named Mary Mallon seems to have infected only a small percentage of these people, yet she became so identified in the public mind with the epidemic that she was dubbed Typhoid Mary and was quarantined for life on an island in the Hudson River.

And a few people, like Mary Mallon, endure to carry the bacteria in their bodies and to infect others, even though they appear healthy. Infection may also cause the irascibility to enlarge, the white blood cell count to drop, and small rose-coloured spots to develop on the trunk. There are vaccines present that have been shown to give 70-90% protection to those vaccinated. Vaccines against typhoid fever are attainable, but they're only partially effective and are usually reserved for people who may be exposed to the disease or are traveling to areas where typhoid fever is endemic.

Causes of Typhoid

The common Causes of Typhoid :

• Typhoid fever is caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi.
• Contact with a chronic asymptomatic carrier
• Typhoid is spread when a person drinks or eats food and water contaminated by human waste (stool or urine) containing Salmonella typhi bacteria.
• Contact with an acute case of typhoid fever
• Ingestion of contaminated food or water

Symptoms of Typhoid

Some Symptoms of Typhoid :

• Confusion.
• Fever.
• Delirium .
• Loss of Appetite.
• Weakness.
• Constipation , then diarrhea.
• Chills.
• Fatigue.
• Abdominal tenderness.
• Bloody stools.
• Agitation.

Treatment of Typhoid

• Specific antibiotics such as chloramphenicol, ampicillin or ciprofloxacin are usually used to cure cases of typhoid
• Antibiotic treatment by giving Chloramphenicol
• Intravenous injection of Chloramphenicol
• Replacement of fluids and electrolytes
• The bacteria can be identified from the stool (bowel movement) sometimes from blood or urine.
• Oral Chloramphenicol
• Chloramphenicol was the initial drug of choice (DOC) but is not commonly used because of widespread resistance, high relapse rates, and risk of bone marrow toxicity.
• Surgery is often indicated in cases of intestinal perforation. Most surgeons favour simple closure of the perforation with drainage of the peritoneum. Small bowel resection is indicated for patients with multiple perforations.