Typhoid fever is a serious illness. The typhoid fever spreads through contaminated food and water. The main germ that causes it is called Salmonella Typhi. This germ enters the body and makes a person quite sick.
Typhoid fever causes high fever, stomach pain, weakness, and sometimes rashes. It can also lead to other problems if it is not treated early. That is why early detection is very important. When doctors find the illness in the beginning, it is easier to treat.
The best way to stay safe is by keeping food and water clean. Washing hands before eating also helps. A typhoid fever vaccine can give extra protection, especially in areas where the illness is common.
This blog will explain the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and ways to prevent typhoid fever.
What is Typhoid Fever?
If you have to define typhoid fever, you can call it an infection that starts in the intestine and spreads into the bloodstream . The germ that causes it passes through dirty food and unsafe water. It also spreads when people do not wash their hands properly.
Typhoid is still common in many parts of the world. It affects children and adults. In some countries, it is a major health problem. Clean food and water can reduce the risk, but extra care is always needed.
Doctors treat this illness with antibiotics for typhoid. These medicines kill the germs and help patients recover. In many cases, a typhoid fever vaccine is used to protect people before they fall sick .
Causes of Typhoid Fever
Knowing the typhoid causes helps people stay protected. The illness is caused by a germ called Salmonella Typhi. It enters the stomach, grows, and then spreads in the blood. This is also the main cause of enteric fever.
Contaminated Food
When food is not cooked or stored properly, germs can grow. Flies may sit on food and carry germs. Eating such food allows the typhoid germ to enter the body.
Contaminated Water
Drinking dirty water is one of the biggest risks. Water can get mixed with sewage or waste. This makes it unsafe and full of germs that cause typhoid.
Poor Sanitation
Poor sanitation means dirty surroundings. When toilets are not clean or waste is not managed, germs spread fast. People living in such places are more likely to fall sick.
How Salmonella Typhi Infects the Body
Once the germ enters through food or water, it reaches the intestine. From there, it spreads into the blood. This is how typhoid, caused by germs, makes the whole body weak and sick.
Common Symptoms of Typhoid
The symptoms of typhoid can appear slowly. At first, they may look like a normal fever or stomach problem. But with time, the illness gets worse. Knowing the signs of typhoid early helps in quick treatment.
Early Symptoms
- A fever that keeps rising day by day
- A headache that does not go away
- Feeling weak and tired all the time
- Stomach discomfort or mild pain
Later Symptoms
- A high fever that can last for many days
- Strong abdominal pain
- Diarrhoea in some people, while others may have constipation
- Red or pink rashes on the skin
- Extreme weakness and loss of appetite
These signs and symptoms of typhoid may change from person to person. Some people get very sick, while others show mild signs. Early check-up and treatment are always better.
Diagnostic Test to Detect Typhoid
Doctors use different tests to find out if a person has typhoid. Early testing is important so that treatment can start quickly. There are many methods available. Let’s discuss some common ones.
Widal Test
The Widal test is a serological test measuring antibodies (‘O’ and ‘H’) against S. Typhi antigens, but it is not sufficiently reliable alone—results must be interpreted with caution and in conjunction with culture and clinical findings .
If the blood has antibodies against Salmonella Typhi, it mixes with the solution. This shows the person may have typhoid. The test looks for two antibodies called “O” and “H.” High levels mean there may be an infection.
Doctors check the results with care. A strong reaction means the body is fighting the germ. But sometimes, the results are not clear. Other sicknesses can look the same. That is why doctors use the Widal test along with other tests.
If Widal titres are high and symptoms match, doctors may use the result along with other tests to guide treatment.
Blood Culture
The blood culture test is the gold standard for finding typhoid. This means it is the most reliable test. Doctors trust it more than any other method.
To do the test, a small sample of blood is taken from the patient. This blood is placed in a special bottle that helps germs grow. If Salmonella Typhi is present, it will start to grow in the lab. After some days, doctors can see the germ under a microscope.
The results are clear and accurate. If the germ grows, it confirms typhoid. If not, the person may have some other illness. This test also helps doctors find out which antibiotics will work best.
The results of the blood culture and the symptoms of the patient are studied together. This helps doctors to understand the stage of typhoid and how serious it is.
Stages of Typhoid
You can develop symptoms of typhoid fever in four stages. Early treatment with antibiotics can stop the illness from moving to later stages.
- Stage 1: This happens five to fourteen days after contact with S. Typhi. The first sign is fever. The fever goes up step by step each day. This is called a stepwise fever. At this stage, the germ is entering the blood.
- Stage 2: Around the second week, the germ grows in a part of your immune system called Peyer’s patches. Stomach pain starts. You may also get diarrhoea or constipation. Small pink spots can appear on the skin. These are called rose spots.
- Stage 3: If the illness is not treated, it becomes dangerous. This often happens in the third week. The germ can cause bleeding inside the body. In some people, it can also affect the brain and cause swelling.
- Stage 4: This is the recovery stage. The fever slowly goes down. But the germ may stay in the gallbladder even after the person feels better. This means the person can still spread typhoid to others.
These traditional stages are mostly seen in untreated cases. Today, most patients receive antibiotics early, so the illness may not progress through all stages.
Stool & Urine Tests
Stool and urine tests are also used to find typhoid. These tests help doctors check if the germ is leaving the body.
In a stool test, a small sample of waste is taken. It is then checked in the lab for Salmonella Typhi. A typhoid stool test can confirm if the person is still spreading the germ.
In a urine test, a small amount of urine is collected. This sample is also studied in the lab. If the germ is present, it shows the infection is active.
These tests are simple. They are often used along with blood culture and other tests. Together, they give a clearer picture of the illness.
Who is at Risk of Typhoid?
Not everyone has the same chance of getting typhoid. Some groups of people face a higher risk. Knowing the risk factors of typhoid helps to protect oneself better.
Children
Children are one of the main risk groups. They often forget to wash their hands before eating. They may eat food from unsafe places like street vendors. Their immune system is still growing, which makes them more likely to fall sick.
Travellers to Endemic Areas
People who travel to places where typhoid is common also face danger. Eating local food or drinking untreated water during travel increases the risk. For such people, the risk factors of typhoid fever include lack of safe drinking water and poor hygiene around food. Getting vaccinated before travelling is often advised.
People Without Clean Water and Sanitation
Those living without clean water or toilets face daily risks. Poor sanitation makes germs spread faster in the community. These typhoid risk factors become more severe when waste mixes with food or water. In such places, even basic things like washing hands with soap can reduce sickness.
Treatment of Typhoid Fever
Typhoid fever is serious but can be treated. Early treatment helps prevent the illness from becoming severe.
- The primary treatment is antibiotics. These medicines kill the germs. A doctor decides the right one after tests. It is essential to take the full course. Stopping early can make the germs stronger, and the sickness may return.
- Rest is extremely important as typhoid makes people weak. Patients should drink plenty of clean water, soups, or juices to avoid dehydration. Soft foods like rice, dal, khichdi, or boiled vegetables are easy to digest. Oily and spicy foods should be avoided.
- In severe cases, hospital care may be needed. Doctors may give medicines and fluids through a drip if the patient cannot eat or drink.
- Even after recovery, some people may still carry the germ. This means they can spread it to others. Washing hands, cleaning utensils, and using safe water are essential to stop the spread.
- Doctors often ask for follow-up visits. This ensures the infection is gone completely. If the illness comes back, further tests and treatment may be required. With the right care, most people recover fully.
Complications of Typhoid
If typhoid is not treated on time, it can become very dangerous. The germ can spread in the body and damage many organs. Here are some common complications:
- Typhoid can cause bleeding inside the stomach or intestines. This can make a person weak and dizzy.
- A hole can form in the intestines. Food and waste can leak into the stomach. It is very painful and life-threatening.
- The gallbladder may swell or burst because of the infection. This can spread germs further in the body.
- Typhoid can affect the brain. A person may feel confused, restless, or see things that are not real. In some cases, seizures may happen.
- The thin covering around the brain may swell. This causes severe headache, fever, and neck pain.
- Typhoid can lead to breathing problems. It may cause bronchitis, pneumonia, or other chest issues.
- The germs can reach the bones and cause swelling. This is called osteomyelitis. It makes the bones painful and weak.
- The infection can spread to the heart. It may cause swelling and damage to heart tissues.
- The kidneys may stop working properly. This makes it hard for the body to remove waste.
- In pregnant women, untreated typhoid can lead to miscarriage. It can harm both mother and baby.
These complications are uncommon when treatment is started early
Conclusion
Typhoid fever is a serious illness, but it can be prevented and treated. Clean water, safe food, and good hygiene are the best ways to stop the spread. Early testing and proper treatment with antibiotics can save lives and prevent complications. Vaccines also provide extra protection, especially in areas where typhoid is common. With care and awareness, families can stay safe. Knowing the signs, causes, and treatment makes it easier to fight typhoid and protect health.
FAQs:
1. How is typhoid fever transmitted?
Typhoid spreads through food and water that has germs from infected people. It also spreads when hands are not washed properly before eating.
2. What are the early symptoms of typhoid?
The first signs are fever, headache, weakness, and stomach discomfort. These symptoms slowly get worse if not treated.
3. Which test is best for typhoid diagnosis?
The blood culture test is the most accurate way to confirm typhoid. Other tests, like Widal or stool tests, may be used, but blood culture is the gold standard.
4. Can typhoid go away without treatment?
Typhoid does not usually go away on its own. Without treatment, it can cause serious and life-threatening complications.
5. How long does typhoid last with treatment?
With proper antibiotics, typhoid usually gets better in 7 to 14 days. Recovery may take longer if treatment is delayed.
6. Who is more vulnerable to typhoid fever?
Children, travellers to typhoid-prone areas, and people without clean water or toilets are most at risk. Weak immunity also makes a person more vulnerable.