What is Typhoid fever-

• Typhoid is a bacterial infection caused by Salmonella Typhi.
• This bacteria is spread by Oral route introduced by infected hands, water, food.
• It is also excreted in faeces of an infected person, hence sanitation is very important to control transmission of this disease.
• This infection is easily transmitted through children and can occur in epidemics(in large numbers)
• Children are more often affected than adults

RISK FACTORS

• Poor hygiene- eating without washing hands.This infection rate could hint at the sanitation status of a country. Hence countries with poor sanitation facility have a higher infection rate.
• Seafood or vegetables – exposed to infected material spread the disease
• Ice-creams- This bacteria can survive in ice

SYMPTOMS

• Prolonged periods of high-grade fever
• Lethargy, uneasiness
• Tummy pain
• Diarrhoea or constipation
• Headache
• Occasionally rashes
• Blood in stool- whether fresh bleeding or black colour stools( old blood).

INVESTIGATIONS

• When this bacteria affects children, they produce antibodies.
• These antibodies are detected in blood tests. Though these are not very sensitive, combined with clinical features they can be diagnosed
• The faeces and urine can also hint towards a serious infection. These tests are occasionally used
• The bacteria in blood can be grown and the right medications for this infection can be identified

TREATMENT

• Antibiotics is the answer. If a child is visibly sick, intravenous antibiotics are started and then switched to oral antibiotics. Infections are generally treated from 7 to 14 days.
• This infection can involve other systems also like the kidney or digestive system. So if seriously sick, the child is admitted and given supportive treatment.

• Regular hand washing – especially after using the toilet and before feeding
• Vaccination – Can be given as an injection regularly( every 2 years) or tablets that are swallowed. Both these do not give 100% protection, hence precautions need to be maintained