Typhoid fever is an illness caused by the Salmonella Typhi bacteria (S. Typhi). In the early days of the illness, it is characterized by a high fever, stomach pain, diarrhoea and other flu-like symptoms. These initial symptoms in and of themselves can be painful. However, if left untreated, typhoid fever can become progressively worse until they are life-threatening. If you live in an area with high incidence rates of typhoid fever, or if you or a loved one has the condition, it is imperative that you learn everything you need to know about the causes, symptoms, treatment and more.
Typhoid fever is characterized by a high fever that can last for days or even weeks. Without treatment, it can grow progressively worse and, for some people, life-threatening.
Though the high fever is the defining symptom of typhoid fever, it is not the only one. The other symptoms are characterized by which stage of the illness a person is in: early or late.
In the early stage of typhoid fever, individuals may experience symptoms that resemble those of many other illnesses. Those include but are not limited to the following:
Some people may also develop a loss of appetite, cough and/or sweating.
It is the later stage of typhoid fever that is dangerous for humans. If left untreated, the fever may begin to cause issues with the intestines, which can lead to a host of painful and possibly life-threatening issues:
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that, without treatment, will result in death. If sepsis causes septic shock, survival rates drop to between 60% and 70%.
If allowed to continue without treatment, typhoid fever can become very serious very quickly. Some symptoms individuals may experience are as follows:
These symptoms are indicative of life-threatening complications.
In some people, symptoms may return even after a few weeks of normalcy, which is why it is critical to monitor your health for months following the breaking of your fever.
Most people who contract typhoid fever develop complications only because they fail to seek treatment. However, some individuals are simply prone to complications. Regardless of why complications occur, they can be serious and possibly life threatening.
The most common complication of typhoid fever is damage to the intestines. The bacteria that causes the fever can trigger the death of the cells that line both the small intestine and large bowel walls. When these cells begin to die, the contents of the gut can more easily leak into the body, which can trigger not only severe stomach pain and vomiting but also, sepsis throughout the body. Sepsis is, again, an oftentimes fatal condition. Damage to the intestines typically occurs later in the illness and is a medical emergency.
Damage to the intestines is not the only complication of typhoid fever. Other complications that may arise are as follows:
If any of these symptoms develop, seek medical treatment for you or your loved one right away.
Typhoid fever affects between 11 million and 21 million individuals worldwide each year. Though typhoid fever can occur anywhere in the world, it is most common in rural and developing countries that lack proper sanitation measures. Countries that are most affected by this disease include Central and South America, countries throughout South and Southeast Asia, the Caribbean and Africa. Travelers to India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are also at risk.
Persons of any age can get typhoid fever. However, it is more likely to affect children than adults.
Additional risk factors include working as a microbiologist who handles the bacteria, Salmonella enterica serotype typhi bacteria and close contact with an infected person who someone who has recently been infected.
The typhoid fever-causing bacteria typically spreads through contaminated water or food. Persons may contract the bacteria either by touching contaminated objects and then placing their hands in their mouths before washing them or by touching food or beverages with contaminated hands and then eating or drinking said foods or beverages. Individuals may also contract it by consuming even trace amounts of wastewater (water with human faeces or urine in it).
It is also possible to get typhoid fever from another infected person. This is not possible through the exchange of saliva or bodily fluids, however, as it is with many other illnesses. Rather, you can contract typhoid fever from another person if he or she does not wash his or her hands after using the restroom and who then touches a food item or surface.
If you or a loved one has symptoms of typhoid fever, it is imperative that you receive a diagnosis as soon as possible. The earlier you receive a diagnosis, the sooner you can begin treatment and work to prevent complications.
Treating typhoid fever involves antibiotics. Because bacteria can evolve to resist antibiotic treatment, your doctor may prescribe several types of antibiotics, each of which is designed to attack different strains. The location of the bacteria within your body will also dictate the type of antibiotics you need.
If you become severely ill due to complications, your medical team may order additional treatment measures. Unfortunately, treating complications of typhoid fever often involves hospitalization.
Because of how dangerous typhoid fever can become, the best thing you can do to protect your health and the health of those you love is to work to prevent infection. The strongest defence against typhoid fever is vaccination, though adequate sanitary measures help, too.
Currently, there are two types of vaccinations against typhoid fever: an oral vaccine and an injectable immunization. Neither type provides lifelong resistance, and neither provides guaranteed protection against infection. However, both can significantly reduce your risk of contracting the bacteria and becoming either ill or a carrier.
To further reduce your risk of contracting typhoid fever, engage in safe food practices, both when you are at home and traveling. Effective safe food practices are as follows:
If you become sick with Typhoid fever, you can begin to feel better within just a few days if you begin antibiotic treatment early enough. However, know that even if you do begin to feel better, you can be contagious with the disease for a long time afterward, with some people continuing to shed the bacteria up to three months after the last of the symptoms disappear. For this reason, you should practice ultra-safe hygiene measures long after your recovery from the fever.
Not only can you be a carrier of typhoid bacteria for months after the last of your symptoms disappear but also, you run the risk of relapsing. Some people become sick again with typhoid fever within a week of finishing their antibiotics. For a small percentage, they may relapse weeks or even months after finishing the last round of antibiotics. If your symptoms return, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
If you receive prompt antibiotic treatment, your symptoms may last anywhere from seven to 10 days. However, if you allow the disease to go untreated, you may be sick for three weeks or more. If you develop complications, it can be months before you fully recover, if you ever do.
If not treated right away, typhoid fever has the potential to be fatal. However, thanks to modern medicine, it does not have to be anymore. Of the tens of millions of cases that occur each year, just 1% to 2% result in fatalities.
Typhoid fever is a serious medical condition that can, if left untreated, be fatal. Fortunately, modern medicine has the capacity to combat the S. Typhi bacteria and return infected persons to normal health within a couple of weeks. If you or a loved one develop symptoms of typhoid fever, contact your healthcare provider right away to begin antibiotic treatment as soon as possible.