If you are wondering what is typhoid, you should know that Salmonella typhi bacteria spread it. The disease isn’t prevalent in developed countries. But people in developed countries often pick up typhoid while traveling.
Typhoid usually spreads through fecal-oral transmission. Salmonella typhi is passed through the feces and urine of infected people. You might catch the disease if you consume food prepared by people affected by typhoid.
Some people remain carriers of typhoid even after antibiotic treatment. Keep reading the post to learn some easy hacks to stay protected from typhoid fever.
Symptoms of Typhoid
The symptoms of typhoid become prominent gradually. Sometimes the symptoms start showing around one to three weeks after exposure to the disease. Some early signs of the disease are as follows:
- Fever starts low but gradually increases every day and reaches up to 104.9 degrees Fahrenheit
- Fatigue and weakness
- Headaches
- Dry cough
- Muscle ache
- Sweating
- Weight loss
- Lack of appetite
- Stomach pain
- Body rash
- Swollen stomach
- Constipation or diarrhea
During the later part of the illness, affected people might become delirious. They often become exhausted and lie motionless with half-closed eyes. Typhoid causes life-threatening symptoms during the later part of the illness. Signs and symptoms appear in some people even two weeks after the fever subsides.
Treatment for Typhoid
The different typhoid causes need to be treated using antibiotics. The medications destroy the bacteria which trigger typhoid fever. Several types of antibiotics are useful in treating typhoid.
Ampicillin, cotrimoxazole, and chloramphenicol are the most common antibiotics for typhoid. Doctors also prescribe azithromycin, cephalosporins, or fluoroquinolones. Depending on the severity of the infection, some people need supportive therapies like electrolyte replacement.
Vaccines
The World Health Organization has approved two vaccines to prevent typhoid. The two acceptable vaccines are as follows:
- Ty21a: You need to consume one capsule daily until you receive four doses of the vaccine. The minimum age for getting this vaccine is six years. Booster doses are required after every five years.
- VICPs: This vaccine is given as a single injection. The minimum age for getting this vaccine is two. A booster dose is required every two years.
Remember that none of these vaccines can offer full protection against typhoid. People in high-risk areas need to follow several guidelines to protect themselves and others.
Tips to Keep Yourself Safe from Typhoid
The first step to protecting yourself from the disease is knowing what is typhoid. Additionally, keep following these guidelines to protect yourself:
- Wash your hands with hot and soapy water before preparing food or eating. Wash your hands even after using the toilet. If you don’t have access to hot water and soap, use an alcohol-based sanitizer.
- Drink bottled or boiled water to refrain from consuming contaminated water. Carbonated bottled water is safer than non-carbonated water.
- Don’t put shower water inside your mouth and brush your teeth using boiled or bottled water.
- Refrain yourself from ordering drinks with ice until you are certain it’s made from clean water.
- Avoid flavored ices that might be made from polluted water.
- Consume food that has been cooked thoroughly.
- Always serve steaming hot food.
- Avoid food that has been stored at room temperature for a long time.
- Eat raw fruits and vegetables that can be peeled. Items like lettuce are highly likely to be contaminated because they are difficult to clean.
- Avoid consuming peeled fruits or other food items sold by street vendors.
How to Stop Spreading the Infection
While recovering from the infection, you must take certain measures to stop spreading it. The steps to prevent spreading the infection are as follows:
- Visit a healthcare practitioner immediately after you start noticing symptoms.
- Obey the doctor’s advice regarding antibiotic dosage. Complete the whole course to heal completely.
- Don’t prepare food for others as long as you are contagious.
- If you work in the food industry, you must show medical reports prove that you are ready to join work.
- You should not share food with others if you are still at risk of passing the typhoid bacteria.
- Wash your hands with hot and soapy water before eating or cooking and after using the toilet. Scrub your hands properly for at least 30 seconds for an effective wash.
Closing Thoughts
Once you know what is typhoid, you will be able to identify if you or someone close has been affected by it. Always take the right precautions and follow the safety measures to protect yourself from typhoid fever.
