Typhoid fever is caused by bacteria called Salmonella typhi (S. Typhi). The incubation period is 7 to 14 days. Typhoid fever is a serious and potentially fatal bacterial infection.
Table of Contents
hide
Causes
The bacteria that causes typhoid fever — S. typhi — spreads through contaminated food, drink, or water.
Symptoms and signs
| First week | second week | Third week | Fourth week |
| Fever, 39–40°C (103–104°F) | First week symptoms | loss of appetite, weight loss | symptoms gradually improve |
| Abdominal pain | swelling of the abdomen | myocarditis | |
| Constipation or diarrhoea | slowing of the heartbeat | physical exhaustion | |
| Vomiting (children) | bouts of foul-smelling, yellow-green, watery diarrhoea | ||
| Dry cough | severe swelling of the abdomen | ||
| Dull headache in the front of the head | rapid breathing,
perforation of the bowel | ||
| Delirium | Confusion, apathy, psychosis | ||
| Skin rash(pink spots 1–4 cm wide) | internal bleeding | ||
| Malaise | multiple organ failure |
Investigations
- Complete blood count
- Blood and stool culture
- Platelet count
- ELISA urine test
- Fluorescent antibody study
Treatment
Self-care
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Lots of bed rest
- Eat regular meals
Ayurvedic Medicines promise a complete cure without any complications.
Surgery
Complications
- Intestinal perforation and haemorrhage
- Kidney failure
- Peritonitis
Prevention
- Vaccines are recommended for travel outside and during epidemic outbreaks.
- At-risk travellers should drink only boiled or bottled water and eat well-cooked food.
- Adequate water treatment, waste disposal
- Protection of food supply from contamination