What is Typhoid?

Typhoid fever is an infection caused by the S. Typhi bacteria. The bacteria lives in people's intestines and bloodstream. You can catch typhoid from someone who doesn't wash their hands after going to the toilet. When they touch surfaces and objects, they can leave behind bacteria that can be passed on to the next person who touches it. Animals do not carry this disease; transmission always occurs from person to person. The bacteria enters through the mouth and spends 1 to 3 weeks in the intestine. It then passes through the intestinal wall and mixes with the bloodstream. It spreads from the bloodstream to other tissues and organs. The patient's immune system can do little to respond because S. typhi can live within the patient's cells, protected from the immune system.

If typhoid is not treated promptly, it can cause serious problems and be fatal. Intestinal bleeding or perforations in the intestine are among the most serious problems that typhoid can cause. In this case, a hole forms in the small intestine or large intestine. Intestinal contents leak into the stomach and can cause severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and bloodstream infection. This life-threatening complication requires emergency medical care. What are the symptoms of typhoid? Symptoms typically begin 1 to 3 weeks after exposure to the bacteria. The main symptoms of typhoid are fever and rash. Typhoid fever is particularly high and gradually increases over time to 40°C. Other symptoms include: Diarrhea Loss of appetite Bloating Nausea Weight loss Abdominal pain Constipation Headache The rash consists of pink spots, especially on the neck and abdomen. Advanced stage symptoms of the disease are psychiatric problems such as delirium, hallucinations and paranoid psychosis. Lying motionless and exhausted with your eyes half closed (tendency to sleep). How is Typhoid Treated? When the doctor diagnoses typhoid, he will start antibiotic treatment. A person with typhoid needs to rehydrate his body by drinking sufficient amounts of water.

In more serious cases where the intestine is perforated, the person may need surgery. However, as with some other bacterial conditions, there are concerns about increased resistance to antibiotics against S. typhi. If a person is diagnosed with typhoid and is in the treatment process, he/she should take proper antibiotic treatment to prevent the spread of the disease, keep his or her hands clean, and avoid social contact with other people until he/she knows that the disease is no longer contagious.