Typhoid is a bacterial infection that causes high fever, diarrhea, and flu-like symptoms. Contaminated food or polluted drinking water are the reasons behind it. In addition, it can also spread from one person to another. Sometimes, it can even be life-threatening if typhoid treatment not promptly and correctly. S. Typhi bacteria cause various symptoms, such as abdominal pain. Also, typhoid fever is developed mainly in people traveling and infecting others via the faecal route or urine.
Typhoid and its Symptoms
Typhoid fever is caused by drinking or eating the bacteria S.Typhi via your mouth, and it stays there for about one to three weeks in the intestine area. After this phase, it passes along the intestinal wall and goes into the circulatory system.
S. Typhi lives within the host cell, absolutely safe from the immune system. Because of this, your immune system cannot fight back Salmonella Typhi.
Typhoid symptoms evolve gradually. They take 1-3 weeks to emerge.
These symptoms include
● Headache
● Fatigue and weakness
● Muscle ache
● Dry cough
● Sweating
● Loss of appetite and weight loss
● Pyrexia, which starts low and increases, possibly as high as 104.9 F
● Stomach ache and diarrhea
● Skin rashes
At a later stage, the typhoid symptoms can go on to the person being delirious and exhausted with half eyes closed and lying motionless.
Ways to Protect Yourself from Typhoid Fever
Moreover, the best advice is to get vaccinated, especially when living or traveling to a typhoid-prone area.
Practicing hygiene, safe food handling, and washing hands frequently are other essential tips to protect yourself from typhoid or limit its spread. Let’s look at these effective ways in detail
● Vaccine for Typhoid Prevention
There are two types of vaccines available to protect yourself against typhoid fever. However, these doses are insufficient, and you need additional doses. These vaccines effectively reduce the risk, but they do not guarantee not getting typhoid. Moreover, vaccinations are known to provide some protection against paratyphoid fever, but it hasn’t been tested. These two vaccines are
❖ Oral vaccine
Earlier, four pills were taken, but not anymore.
❖ Vaccine shot
This is in the form of an injection for typhoid and is administered in a single shot. Two weeks before visiting an area that is typhoid prone, you need to build up your defences by taking this vaccine shot. This is done to ensure that your body starts making antibodies. Children older than 2 years can be given this shot; a booster shot is required every two years.
● Safe Food Practices
This is another way of protecting yourself from typhoid. With vaccines being the best way, this step includes eating food from hygienic and safe places.
Avoid eating or drinking foods contaminated with Salmonella Typhi or any other bacteria. This holds for the times when you’re at home or traveling. Further, these food practices include
● If you’re sick, do not make food for others;
● Wash your hands thoroughly before and after preparing food with soap and water and while going to the loo;
● Wash all utensils and surfaces for preparing food and eating. This should be done both before and after eating;
● When you’re traveling or out and not sure about the quality of the food, you should stick to packaged or well-cooked food;
● Make sure you never drink contaminated water or consume food prepared with this water. It’s advisable and safe to drink packaged water and cook using this water;
● Do not consume raw fruits and veggies at any cost;
● Unhygienic food should be avoided at all costs
Although, vaccinations will always be the best, most effective, and most efficient way of protecting yourself from typhoid fever.
However, there is no harm in following safe and adequate hygiene and consuming only that food you’re sure about. Typhoid fever can turn deadly or leave your immune system scarred for life.
Conclusion
Typhoid fever can be lethal and requires immediate attention and care once diagnosed. This disease can turn complicated by affecting other organs or causing infections in the body.
You should follow safe hygiene practices by consuming healthy food and water. Also, remember that this fever is highly contagious and can pass on from one person to another via pee or stools.