Typhoid fever is an infectious disease caused by bacteria Salmonella typhiresulting in symptoms such as high fever, lack of appetite, dry cough, chills, rise of the spleen and red spots on the skin, which may take up to 3 weeks to disappear.
The bacteria causing typhoid fever can be transmitted through contaminated water and food consumption, so that this disease is related to low socioeconomic levels, especially to bad sanitation and personal hygiene conditions.
It is important that treatment for typhoid fever is done by the general practitioner or infectologist as soon as the first symptoms of the disease are identified, being indicated resting, increasing liquid intake or using antibiotics to avoid preventing complications of the disease.
Typhoid fever symptoms
The main symptoms indicative of typhoid fever are:
- High fever and chills;
- Headache;
- Loss of appetite;
- Nausea or vomiting;
- Dry cough;
- Constipation or diarrhea;
- General malaise;
- Increased spleen and liver;
- Decreased heartbeat;
- Reddish spots on the skin, especially in the chest and abdomen region.
The initial symptoms of typhoid fever are light, as bacteria can take between 1 to 3 weeks to multiply and lead to the development of more noticeable and more serious symptoms.
It is important that typhoid fever is identified and treated shortly thereafter, as this is possible to prevent the development of complications that can put the person’s life at risk, such as abdominal bleeding, intestine perforation and generalized infection.
How the diagnosis is made
The diagnosis of typhoid fever is made by the general practitioner or infectologist from the assessment of the symptoms presented by the person, as well as being considered the habits of life and hygiene of the person, and recent trips.
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In addition, blood tests, feces and urine are performed to identify alterations in the suggestive bacteria infection exams.
Other tests that may be requested by the doctor are microbiological exams, such as co -culture and blood culture, with the objective of identifying the presence of Salmonella typhi And so it is possible to confirm the diagnosis and start the most appropriate treatment.
How the transmission happens
The transmission of the bacteria responsible for typhoid fever happens mainly through the consumption of water and food contaminated by urine or feces containing the bacteria.
The main foods related to the transmission of typhoid fever are non -pasteurized milk, seafood, vegetables, vegetables, vegetables and un washed fruits.
In addition, it is possible to transmit the disease upon contact with the hands or secretions of a person with the disease.
How treatment is done
Treatment of typhoid fever should be guided by the general practitioner or infectologist and aims to promote the elimination of bacteria, relieve symptoms and prevent complications.
The main treatments that can be indicated by the doctor are:
- Antibioticssuch as ciprofloxacin, amoxicillin, sulfamethoxazole+trimetoprima, ceftriaxone, azithromycin, or chloramphenicol;
- Analgesics and antipyreticlike acetaminophen and dipyrone;
- Rest;
- Light feed and poor in calories and fat;
- Increase fluid intakesuch as filtered water or tea.
In addition, it is not recommended to use laxatives to drop the intestines or foods that hold the intestine in case of diarrhea.
In general, the symptoms of typhoid fever improve after the 5th day of antibiotic treatment, but it is important that treatment is continued according to the doctor’s orientation, as the bacteria may remain in the body for about 4 months without a symptom.
In the most severe cases of typhoid fever, it may be necessary for the person to stay in the hospital to be monitored and receive serum and antibiotic directly in the vein.
In addition, in cases of complications, such as gallbladder stone, peritonitis or intestine drilling, surgical treatment may be indicated.
Typhoid Fever Prevention
Some measures to prevent typhoid fever are:
- Wash hands before and after using the bathroom before meals and prepare food;
- Boil or filter the water before drinking it;
- Do not consume poorly cooked or raw foods;
- Prefer cooked foods;
- Avoid making meals away from home;
- Avoid attending places with bad sanitary and hygiene conditions;
- Do not let the child accept food from strangers or drink water from school drinking fountains;
- Warn and not let the child put objects in the mouth because they may be contaminated;
- Separate a bottle with mineral water or boiled or filtered water only for the child.
In addition, to prevent the development of typhoid fever, the typhoid fever vaccine may also be recommended, which is mainly indicated for people who live or will travel to places with high prevalence of this disease.
Possible complications
The main complications of typhoid fever are:
- Intestinal bleeding or drilling;
- Heart problems such as myocarditis or endocarditis;
- Aneurysm;
- Pneumonia;
- Gall or kidney stone;
- Pancreatitis;
- Meningitis;
- Peritonitis.
Therefore, it is important to initiate the treatment recommended by the doctor as soon as symptoms of typhoid fever arise, in order to avoid complications that can endanger life.
Source: www.tuasaude.com
