Typhoid and its Symptoms

Typhoid is a bacterial infection. Its causative agent is Salmonella enteric serover typhi. The bacterium enters the body through the mouth and invades into the intestinal walls. Moreover, it gets multiplied in the lymphoid tissue and enters the blood, and causes the disease. This is a very serious issue in developing countries. Let’s learn about Typhoid and the symptoms of Typhoid here.

However, in developed countries, the cases are quite low in numbers. Moreover, it is a form of enteric fever, i.e. fever accompanied by abdominal pain. For instance, if it is not treated properly then certainly it can be a life threat. Meanwhile, every year approximately 11-12 million people get sick because of it. Moreover, around 128,000 and 161,000 die because of this disease.

Causes

The causative agent is the bacterium Salmonella typhi. They are gram-negative bacteria. Salmonella typhi infects the intestinal tract. Moreover, there are two main species of S.typhi i.e. ST1 and ST2. This disease is currently spread globally.

This bacterium does not have any animal carriers. Humans are the only mode of transmission. An infected person transfers the bacterium into faecal matters and urines, as a result causing infections for others. If the infected person has not properly washed his hands after using washrooms, then any healthy person who comes in contact can easily catch this disease.

However, typhoid can also spread through infected water or food. Due to the lack of sanitation in developing countries, this disease is more common.

 Symptoms of Typhoid

Above all the most important symptom of typhoid is high fever and rash. The fever lasts up to several days. The symptoms start after 6 to 30 days of infection. The fever may increase up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

There can be three stages for untreated typhoid. The symptoms of typhoid in various stages are-

In the first stage, there is a slow rise in fever. It happens in the first week. The test may be negative at this stage.

In the second stage or the second week, the patient becomes weak. He suffers from extreme fever and as a result body becomes weak. In addition, abdominal pain and diarrhea may accompany this stage.

The third stage is most crucial. In the third week, the body suffers from various other problems such as pneumonia, bronchitis, low platelet counts, encephalitis, and intestinal haemorrhages. Moreover, the patients may also have vomiting and diarrhea.

Paratyphoid is another type of infection caused by Salmonella typhi. The symptoms of typhoid are similar to that of paratyphoid. However, paratyphoid is less fatal.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is usually done by taking blood, pee, or stool samples. The samples are then observed for the detection of the bacterium Salmonella typhi. In addition, bone marrow testing can be more reliable.

However, during the first stage, it is usually undetectable. Therefore, the result might be negative at first. The tests conducted for the diagnosis are-

1. Widal Test

The principle of this test is antigen-antibody interactions. Meanwhile, for the detection, the serum sample is mixed with the dead form of Salmonella attached with specific antigens.

If the serum contains antibodies against the antigen, then it will bind with it. It will now give a positive result. However, if there is no antibody present then there will be no binding of antigen and antibody. As a result, the outcome of the test will be negative.

This Widal test is a slow process and most importantly, it doesn’t give accurate results in the early stages of illness. Therefore, this test alone can’t be a confirmatory test.

2. Typhidot

This test includes ELISA kits. It determines the IgM and IgG (immunoglobulin) antibodies over the OMP of the bacterium Salmonella. This is a fast diagnostic test. The test is done on the strips of nitrocellulose. You may have this test after 2 to 3 days of infection.

IgM determines some recent infection on the other hand IgG determines an old infection. If the test is positive then the IgM and IgG will give a pinkish-purple band. If the result shows a solo band then the test is negative, on the other hand, if there are two coloured bands found then the test is positive.

3. Tubex Test

In the tubex test, two different particles are present. Firstly a brown magnetic particle plated with antigen and secondly blue indicator particles coated with O9 antibody is present.

If there is the presence of antibodies then the serum will attach to the brown magnetic particle giving positive results. However, if there is no antibody then brown and blue particles will together combine giving a negative result.

Prevention

Most importantly, the prevention includes good hygiene and sanitation. For the precautions, you must drink pure water i.e. either boiled or bottled water. Moreover, avoid eating street foods. Meanwhile, fruits should be washed thoroughly and food should cook properly before eating. As the infection is most common in developing countries, therefore while travelling in these countries try to adopt more precautions.

Vaccination

The first-ever vaccine for typhoid was discovered by Almroth Edward Wright, Richard Pfeiffer, and Wilhelm Kolle in 1896. It was a phenol-preserved injection.

The vaccines for typhoid are of two types:

• Oral Vaccines- Oral vaccines are available to people above the age of 6. There is a total of 4 pills. One must take these pills on alternate days. For example, Vivotif and Ty21a are oral vaccines.
• Vaccines by Injections- These are present in the form of injections and anyone above 2 years of age can take them. For example, Parenteral V1 polysaccharide is a single injectable vaccine.

It is better to get your vaccination before travelling to developing countries. The oral vaccination should be before one week of travelling. However, you must take the injectable vaccines before 2 weeks of travelling. The vaccines are very much effective however they require regular immunizations.

Treatments

For the treatments several antibiotics are present. These antibiotics kill the bacterium. The use of antibiotics has reduced the death rate to a great extent. It takes a week to 10 days for the recovery with proper medications.

The earliest drug is Chloramphenicol. It was a remote antibiotic with many side effects; as a result, it is replaced with other modern antibiotics. Some common antibiotics are Azithromycin, Ceftriaxone, or Ciprofloxacin.

FAQs on Typhoid

Question 1- Which organs will typhoid affect?

Answer1- The bacteria Salmonella typhi, enters the bloodstream and flows to many organs. It usually affects the intestines, liver, spleen, kidneys, and muscles. It may also enter the gall bladder or lungs.

Question 2- What are the symptoms of typhoid?

Answer 2- The symptoms of typhoid are-

• High persistent fever and rash
• Headache
• Abdominal pain
• Loss of appetite accompanying weight loss
• Constipation
• Vomiting

Question 3- How to prevent typhoid?

Answer 3- To prevent this disease, you must certainly acquire good sanitation habits. The drinking water should be pure i.e. you must boil it. Moreover, wash your fruits thoroughly and cook your meal properly.

Before travelling to developing countries, get your vaccination. Take precautions while travelling, avoid eating street foods.

Question 4- What are the medicines for typhoid?

Answer 4- There are various antibiotics present. The earliest drug is Chloramphenicol. It was a remote antibiotic with many side effects; as a result, it replaces with other modern antibiotics. Some common antibiotics are Azithromycin, Ceftriaxone, or Ciprofloxacin.