What Do You Need To Know About Typhoid?

The typhoid disease is spread by food or water which has been contaminated by urine or faeces from a person infected with the bacteria. In areas such as Asia, Latin America and Africa, this disease is particularly widespread. The World Health Organisation suggests that around 33 million people are infected with typhoid every year and it is attributed to more than 200,000 deaths around the world, the majority of which are young adults and children. Most of the cases of people in the UK developing typhoid are from people who have visited infected areas and contracted the disease – in 2010, 569 people were diagnosed in England and Wales. The symptoms of typhoid are usually spotted around seven to 14 days after you’ve become infected, and most people either have no symptoms or very mild signs of the disease. The first symptoms are a persistent fever, loss of appetite and nausea, headaches, constipation or diarrhoea, stomach pains, and a rash or small pink spots on your chest or stomach. If left untreated, these symptoms can develop and lead to serious health problems. For example, you may experience low blood pressure, confusion or delirium, pneumonia, intestinal bleeding, meningitis, and heart, liver or kidney infections.

 

If your GP suspects that you’ve been infected with typhoid, they will take a sample of your blood, faeces or urine which will be sent away for testing – it’s important that you explain to them if you’ve visited areas where typhoid is a problem, as many of the symptoms are attributed to other conditions which may make it difficult to diagnose. This condition can be treated with antibiotics, which are generally prescribed to be taken orally – however, if your symptoms are particularly severe, you may need to take them intravenously, through a drip. The regular antibiotics which are prescribed to treat typhoid are ampicillin, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin and chloramphenicol. Research suggests that the S. Typhi bacterium is becoming more and more resistant to standard antibiotics, which means that you may need to take a second course if your symptoms relapse. Studies have shown that after treatment, around three in every 100 people who have been infected with typhoid continue to carry the S.Typhi bacteria in their faeces for over a year. This places these people in the category of carriers of typhoid, which means they can infect other people, even if they don’t have any symptoms. Your GP can determine if you’re a carrier by testing a sample of your faeces after you’ve completed your antibiotics – you may need to have a longer course of treatment if you’re found to be a carrier.

 

There are ways in which you can reduce your risk of developing typhoid when you travel to places where this disease is commonly found. For example, you should wash your hands with soap and water, or an alcohol-based cleaner, before eating, after going to the toilet and when having had contact with young children or animals. Don’t drink tap water, and be sure to check that the cap is sealed on any bottled water that you drink. If you’re drinking tap water, be sure to boil it first to kill any bacteria – only use this water when brushing your teeth, as well. Don’t eat raw vegetables, such as salads, as they may have been cleaned in water which has not been prepared properly – you should also only eat food which is freshly prepared and has been cooked through thoroughly. This means only eating food which is very hot, so that you know the bacteria has been killed off – when eating raw fruit and vegetables, try to only eat those which are fresh and can be peeled before eating.

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