Typhoid is an bacterial infection that can lead to a high fever, diarrhea, and vomiting caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi.
if a physician catches it early, they can treat it with antibiotics. Otherwise, typhoid can be fatal.
A person typically contracts typhoid through contaminated food and drinking water. It may also pass from person to person by carriers who do not know they carry the bacteria.
Typhoid is more prevalent in places with less efficient sanitation and hygiene.
Untreated, typhoid is fatal in around 10–30% cases.
Symptoms include a high fever and gastrointestinal (GI) issues.
Some people carry the bacteria without developing symptoms.
The only treatment for typhoid is antibiotics.
The bacterium lives in the intestines and bloodstream of humans. It spreads between individuals through direct contact with the feces of a person with an infection.
No animals carry this disease, so transmission is always from human to human. S. typhi enters through the mouth and spends 1–3 weeks in the intestine. Then, it makes its way through the intestinal wall and into the bloodstream.
From the bloodstream, it spreads into other tissues and organs. The immune system of the host can do little to fight back, because S. typhi can live within the host’s cells, safe from the immune system.
Physician diagnose typhoid by detecting the presence of S. typhi via blood, stool, urine, or bone marrow sample.
Symptoms-
Symptoms typically begin 1–3 weeks after exposure to the bacteria.
The two main symptoms of typhoid are fever and rash. Typhoid fever is particularly high, gradually increasing over several days up to 104ºF.
Rash- rose-colored spots, particularly on the neck and abdomen.
Other symptoms can include-
diarrhea,
loss of appetite,
bloating,
nausea,
weakness,
abdominal pain,
constipation,
headaches.
Causes-
Typhoid is caused by the bacteria S. typhi. It spreads through food, drinks, and drinking water that are contaminated with infected fecal matter. Washing fruit and vegetables can spread it as well if the water is contaminated.
Some people have typhoid without experiencing any symptoms. Others continue to harbor the bacteria after their symptoms have gone. Sometimes, the disease can appear again.
Treatment
The only effective treatment for typhoid is antibiotics.
A person with typhoid needs to rehydrate by drinking adequate amounts of water. In more severe cases, where the bowel has become perforated, a person may need surgery.
However, as with a number of other bacterial conditions, there is concern about the growing resistance of antibiotics to S. typhi.
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