Millions of people in developing countries are worst hit by typhoid; it has become an invisible epidemic in Africa. Typhoid is a bacterial disease spread through contaminated food or water.
Typhoid is an acute infectious illness associated with fever that is most often caused by the salmonella typhi bacteria. It is also caused by salmonella paratyphoid, a related bacterium that usually leads to a less severe illness. The bacteria are deposited through fecal contamination in water or in food by a human carrier and are then spread to other people in the area.
Typhoid is contracted by the ingestion of the bacteria in contaminated food or water. Patients with acute illness can contaminate the surrounding water supply through stool, which contains a high concentration of the bacteria. Contamination of the water supply can, in turn, taint the food supply. This bacteria can survive for weeks in water or dried sewage.
HOW THE INFECTION SPREADS
If you are infected, the bacteria will be in your stool after you have been to the toilet. If you don’t wash your hands properly afterwards you can contaminate any food you touch. Anyone else who eats this food may also become infected. .In places with poor sanitation infected human waste can contaminate the water supply. If you drink that contaminated water or even eat food washed with that water you can develop typhoid
Other ways typhoid can be contracted is by.
- Using a toilet contaminated with the bacteria and touching your mouth before washing your hands.
- Eating sea food from a water source contaminated by infected feces or urine.
- Eating raw vegetables that have been fertilized using human waste.
- Having oral or anal sex with a person who is a carrier of salmonella typhi
WHAT CAUSES TYPHOID?
- Typhoid is caused by the bacteria typhi and spreads through food, drinks and drinking water that is contaminated with infected fecal matter.
Salmonella bacteria.
- Some people are asymptomatic carriers of typhoid, meaning that they harbor the bacteria but suffer no ill effects. Others continue to harbor the bacteria after their symptoms have gone.
SYMPTOMS
The symptoms of typhoid fever usually develop one or 2 weeks after a person becomes infected with the salmonella typhi bacteria. If typhoid is not treated, it usually gets worse over the course of a few weeks, and there is a significant risk of life threatening complications developing or even death. Without treatment, it can take weeks or even months to fully recover and symptoms can return. Common symptoms include:
- High temperatures that can reach up to 39-40 degrees..
- Rashes all over the body.
- Muscle aches.
- Stomach pain.
- Feeling sick.
- Loss of appetite.
- Body weakness.
- Constipation or diarrhea. [Adults tend to get constipation and children tend to get diarrhea]
- Confusion, such as not knowing where you are or what’s going on around you.
- You feel your heart is congested.
- Abdominal pain.
HOW TYPHOID IS DIAGNOSED.
After the ingestion of contaminated food or water, the salmonella bacteria invade the small intestines and enter the blood stream temporarily. The bacteria are carried by white blood cells in the liver, spleen and bone marrow where they multiply and reenter the blood stream. People develop symptoms, including fever, at this point. Bacteria invade the gallbladder, biliary system and the lymphatic tissue of the bowel. Here they multiply in high numbers. The bacteria pass into the intestinal tract and can be identified in urine or stool samples.
TREATMENT
Typhoid is treated with antibiotics which kill the salmonella bacteria. Other than antibiotics, it is important to rehydrate by drinking adequate water. In more severe cases where the bowel has become perforated, surgery may be required.
Also, can be treated by oral rehydration solution.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS THAT MAY RESULT
- Kidney failure.
- Severe bleeding.
- Intestinal perforation. This are holes that develop in in the walls of part of the gastrointestinal tract.
- This is Inflammation of the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity.
The above conditions are life threatening .and requires medical attention as it can lead to death of part of the bowel.
PREVENTION.
VACCINATION. Before traveling to a high risk area, getting vaccinated against typhoid fever is recommended. This can be achieved by oral medication or a one-off injection.
- Oral medication. It is a live vaccine which consist of tablets. One is taken every second day, and last which is taken 1 week before travel.
- Shot, an inactivated vaccine administered 2 weeks before travel.
AVOID INFECTION. Typhoid is spread by contact and ingestion of infected human feces. This can happen through an infected water source or when handling food. The following are some few guidelines to help you.
- Wash your hands. Frequent hand washing in hot, soapy water is the best way to control infection. Wash before eating or preparing food and after visiting the toilet. Carry an alcohol based sanitizer for times when water is not available.
- Avoid drinking untreated water. Contaminated drinking water is a particular problem in areas where typhoid fever is endemic. For this reason drink only bottled, canned water. Ask for drinks without ice, use bottled water to brush your teeth, and try not to swallow water in the shower.
- Be wary of eating anything that has been handled by someone else.
- Avoid eating at street food stands.
- Avoid raw fruits and vegetables. And if you must consume, make sure you peel the fruit yourself and don’t eat the peel.
- Keep flies from food.
- Watch out for ice cubes, ice cream and unpasteurized milk, which can easily be contaminated.
- Cook all food thoroughly and eat it while it is still hot.
- Be aware of the ‘’danger foods’’ shellfish, salads and raw fruit and vegetables.
HOW TO PREVENT INFECTING OTHERS.
- Take your antibiotics.
- Wash your hands often.
- Avoid handling or preparing food for others.