Typhoid

BY Nisharee Suwanmano,Ramida Raksakulkiat,Viyada Ongsakul,Pimlada Prasertthanadit,Pimpatchara Roongsug,Chisa Teomkunanon

Edited by Napasjutha Kongsonthana

What is Typhoid?

​Typically, Typhoid is known as “Typhoid Fever” which is caused by a species of bacteria called “Salmonella Typhi." This highly contagious fever is caused by Salmonella Typhi bacteria that is mostly growing in the intestines of patients. It can be observed that this kind of bacteria is in a similar family of bacteria that causes food poisoning. To be more specific, Typhoid fever can spread and be infected when people consume contaminated water or foods that are consumed by those who have this fever. For example, people who don’t wash their hands after entering a toilet are more likely to spread the virus to other people which can eventually cause them to develop typhoid fever. According to research, this kind of bacteria can only infect humans, and there are no cases of infected animals. Currently, this kind of disease is defined as one of the painful diseases that affects people’s health negatively. It is still widespread all over the world in the current society. Normally, patients who are infected by Salmonella Typhi bacteria will have several negative health conditions such as high fever, headache, stomach pain, or even diarrhea.

Cause Type

​Typhoid fever can be categorized as a waterborne disease because the infection can occur when people consume contaminated water. To be more specific, it can be observed that water is the main carrier that can carry bacteria and viruses to others, leading them to be infected and have several negative health symptoms. For example, if someone consumes contaminated water or food, there is a high tendency that they will become infected. People can spread the virus when they don’t sanitize their hands after entering the toilet, so the virus in their urine or feces may spread when they touch foods. This kind of fever mostly occurs in poor countries which lack access to clean water or sanitation.

Symptom

​Normally, patients who are infected by Typhoid fever are associated with several symptoms such as high body temperature that increases constantly every day, severe headache, tiredness, fatigue, cough, diarrhea, and stomach pain. People who develop Typhoid fever may even have a high fever of 39-40 Celsius. In some Typhoid cases, patients may have the possibilities to experience confusion, skin rash, internal bleeding, or rose-colored spots around their skin, but all of these are quite rare to be found. Without appropriate treatment, symptoms may last for a long period of time which can be weeks or even months. So, it is recommended that patients need to see a doctor in order to diagnose their body’s condition

Treatment

​Normally, when people develop Typhoid, they can see a doctor to diagnose their symptom and provides several treatments. One of the most effective treatments is using antibiotic treatment. When patients got antibiotics, their overall condition and symptoms will be alleviated within a few days. If Typhoid is examined early, there are high tendencies that the infection will be mild, and patients can usually treat themselves at home for a period of 7-14 days using antibiotics.

There are several antibiotics for patients who have typhoid as follows:

• Ciprofloxacin

• Ceftriaxone

• Trimethoprim

• Ampicillin

• Chloramphenicol

​However, if these antibiotics are taken consistently for a long time, the body of patients might resist their effectiveness. In some severe cases, doctors may suggest patients admit to the hospital and inject antibiotics through their blood vessels. Therefore, it is recommended to find a doctor as soon as possible when patients suspect that they could develop Typhoid fever.

Prevention

​As mentioned earlier, this kind of fever usually happens when people consume contaminated water or food. In fact, contaminated water and food is caused by insanitation in toilets. For example, when infected people go into toilets to excrete urine or feces and don’t wash their hands properly, the bacteria might stay in their hands. When they touch foods or water, it could lead them to be contaminated spreading the bacteria to others. Therefore, one of the best processes to prevent Typhoid is sanitizing hands frequently after entering a toilet and choosing foods and beverages carefully. Moreover, people can get Typhoid vaccination to prevent typhoid as well. There are two options for typhoid vaccine as the followings:

• Pill vaccine: People 6 years old and older can take the pill vaccine. Finish taking all four pills (one pill every other day) at least 1 week before travel

• Shot vaccine. People 2 years old and older can get the shot vaccine. Get one shot (or a booster shot) at least 2 weeks before travel.

Interesting fact

• There are around 11-20 million people who develop and get infected by Typhoid every year, and there are approximately around 128,000- 161,000 patients who die from this disease

• In December 2017, WHO prequalified the first conjugate vaccine for typhoid that provides more effectiveness and longer-lasting immunity than older vaccines. Interestingly, this vaccine only requires fewer doses and can be injected into infants whose age range is 6-8 months

Reference:

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/typhoid

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/typhoid#:~:text=Key%20facts,die%20from%20it%20every%20year.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/typhoid-fever/#:~:text=Typhoid%20fever%20is%20a%20bacterial,that%20cause%20salmonella%20food%20poisoning.

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/diseases/typhoid

http://www.uba.co.th/index.php/easyblog/entry/2013-10-24-16-13-42.html

https://www.phyathai.com/article_detail/2575/th/%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%8B%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%9B%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%84%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%82%E0%B9%89%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%9F%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%94%E0%B9%8C_(Typhoid_Vaccine)#:~:text=%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%82%E0%B9%89%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%9F%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%94%E0%B9%8C%20(Typhoid)%20%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%9B%E0%B9%87%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%84,%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%97%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87%20%E0%B8%97%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%9C%E0%B8%B9%E0%B8%81%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%97%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%A2

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typhoid_fever[picture]