Care for Typhoid Fever

Typhoid fever is a contagious disease that is spread through contact and contamination of foods. Although the condition is treatable, typhoid can cause mild to severe fevers, constipation, organ inflammation and even fatality. If a person has contracted typhoid fever, certain antibiotics can be prescribed to stop the spread of typhoid and kill the bacteria that starts the infection. If you or someone you love has been infected by typhoid fever, here are some things you should know about this condition.

Causes

• Typhoid fever is most commonly caused by eating foods tainted by the urine or feces of someone who has already contracted Salmonella typhi, the bacteria that causes typhoid fever. Salmonella typhi that is ingested by an individual travels down through the intestinal tract to that person's bowels, and there assimilates into the bloodstream. Left unchecked, Salmonella typhi can also infect a person's bone marrow and liver, which causes the bacteria to be present in excrement. Paratyphoid fever is another form of the disease. This infection, caused by the Salmonella paratyphi bacteria, is generally milder in scope than its more virulent cousin.

Symptoms

• The most common symptoms associated with typhoid fever are mild to severe fevers and constipation. Salmonella typhi can also cause enlargement of both the spleen and liver. In advanced stages, rose colored spots will begin to appear on the lower parts of the body, and constipation will give way to diarrhea that may contain blood. Symptoms will begin to appear anywhere between one to three weeks after initial exposure. Once typhoid fever has been contracted, relapses can occur, and an individual can be a carrier of Salmonella typhi for long periods of time, sometimes lasting for years.

Treatment

• If a person has been exhibiting symptoms of typhoid fever, it is important to get that individual hospitalized right away. Initially, the patient will be administered intravenous fluids containing electrolytes that help replenish nutrients that have been lost due to infection and feverish sweating.

  After a doctor has been able to diagnose typhoid fever, he can prescribe a number of antibiotics that help clear the infection and Salmonella typhi. The antibiotic will differ based on region, as certain strains of typhoid fever have built up resistances to certain antibiotics. The most commonly administered antibiotics include chloramphenicol, ampicillin and ciprofloxacin.

Prevention

• Proper food and water care is of great importance in the prevention of typhoid fever. Washing your hands with soap and warm water after using the bathroom helps to inhibit the spread of Salmonella typhi. General hygiene principles for food preparation, including correct cooking procedures and clean refrigeration of foods, helps prevent Salmonella typhi from being ingested.

  For people traveling to developing countries, where the rates of typhoid fever are much higher, vaccinations may offer some added protection. Vaccinations can be made available through your doctor or from travel clinics. Some vaccinations, such as Typherix or Typhim Vi, are injected directly into the bloodstream, while others, such as Vivotif, can be administered as an oral tablet.