Causative organism
Typhoid fever is a life threatening illness caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi.
Anyone can get ill after exposure to Salmonella typhi bacteria. Travelers visiting developing countries are at the greatest risk for getting typhoid fever.
Mode of infection
The infection is spread directly from person to person or through contaminated food or water. Some infected persons may not show any symptoms (called typhoid fever "carriers"), but can spread the bacteria to others through their feces and urine for many years. Animals do not carry Salmonella typhi.
Symptoms and onset
Symptoms start 3 days to 2 months (usually 7 to 14 days) after exposure and may include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Loss of appetite
- Red spots on chest or back
- Constipation (in adults)
Typhoid fever should be treated with antibiotics
Spread of the infection can be prevented by
- Excluding infected persons from food handling and from direct care of patients, young children, and the elderly until lab tests of feces done by the local health department show negative results.
- Thorough washing of hands with soap and water after using the toilet, before handling food, and before eating.
Typhoid fever can be prevented with typhoid vaccine
Typhoid vaccine is recommended for persons who are going to travel to countries where there is a risk of exposure to Salmonella typhi, such as many countries of Africa, Asia, and Central and South America. However, typhoid vaccination is not 100% effective and is not a substitute for careful selection of food and drink while visiting developing countries. Typhoid vaccine is also recommended for persons living in a household with a typhoid fever carrier.
4 comments:
Thanks for sharing such a useful information about typhoid. Last year my mother become the victim of typhoid, but now she is perfectly fine. I was looking for the difference between typhoid and simple fever. Found your post and found it very informative.
Very informative and useful post, Keep it up the great work. Now days the need of Assisted Living Denver CO is become important for every single person metro area. Are you looking for senior care services in Denver metro Area, then you need to visit Stacys Helping Hand, Inc for the right senior care option.
Thanks for posting such an useful and informative post. Keep posting.
Loud and clear thanks for the message
Post a Comment