Typhoid Fever: Frequently Asked Questions
What is typhoid fever?
Typhoid fever is an acute, life-threatening illness caused by the bacterium
Salmonella typhi . It starts as an infection of the intestines, which spreads to the blood and other parts of the body.
Source: www.dshs.state.tx.us
Typhoid Fever is an acute generalized infection caused by Salmonella Typhosa. The
main sources of infection are contaminated water or milk and food handlers who are carriers. Symptoms include high fever, rose-colored spots on the abdomen and chest, and diarrhea or constipation. Complications, especially in untreated patients, may be numerous. The disease is treated with the antibiotic chloramphenicol; typhoid vaccination is a valuable preventive measure.
Source: www.epicwater.com
Typhoid fever is a life-threatening illness caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi . In the United States about 400 cases occur each year, and 75% of these are acquired while traveling internationally. Typhoid fever is still common in the developing world, where it affects about 21.5 million persons each year. Typhoid fever can be prevented and can usually be treated with antibiotics. ...
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How common is typhoid fever?
Worldwide, the number of typhoid cases for 2000 was estimated at 17 million with 600,000 deaths, although this is considered to be a very conservative number. In the U.S., about 400 cases occur each year; most are acquired while traveling internationally.
Source: www.dshs.state.tx.us
How is Typhoid fever spread?
Typhoid is caused by a bacterium called Salmonella Typhi that lives only in humans. Individuals who have typhoid fever carry the bacteria in their intestinal tract and blood. In addition, some people who recover from typhoid fever continue to carry the bacteria. Both sick people persons as well as carriers shed S. Typhi in their feces (stool). A person may get typhoid if they consume food or drink that has been handled by a person who is shedding the S. Typhi bacteria. ...
Source: www.india.gov.in
Salmonella Typhi lives only in humans. Persons with typhoid fever carry the bacteria in their bloodstream and intestinal tract. In addition, a small number of persons, called carriers , recover from typhoid fever but continue to carry the bacteria. Both ill persons and carriers shed S. Typhi in their feces (stool). ...
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How are typhoid fever infections treated? How is typhoid fever treated?
Specific antibiotics such as chloramphenicol, ampicillin, or ciprofloxacin are often used to treat cases of typhoid. Treatment and completion of treatment are important. P ersons who do not get treatment may continue to have fever for weeks or months . Some excrete bacteria in their stool for up to three months and a small portion of untreated patients become permanent carriers.
Source: www.dshs.state.tx.us
What are the symptoms of typhoid fever? What does typhoid fever cause?
Typhoid fever symptoms may be mild to severe and include gradual onset of sustained fever, headache, nausea, loss of appetite, constipation or sometimes diarrhea, and rose-colored spots on the trunk. Symptoms generally appear one to three weeks after exposure. Relapses are possible. Complications include inflammation of the membrane that lines the wall of the abdomen and the abdominal organs (peritonitis), bleeding and perforation of the intestines, and kidney failure.
Source: www.dshs.state.tx.us
How is typhoid fever spread? How do people get typhoid fever?
Typhoid fever is transmitted by food and water contaminated by the stool and urine of patients and carriers. Polluted water is the most common source of typhoid. Other sources of infection have been shellfish taken from sewage-contaminated beds and eaten raw, contaminated foods, and contaminated milk and milk products.
Source: www.dshs.state.tx.us
How are typhoid fever infections diagnosed?
Typhoid fever is diagnosed by isolating the bacteria from blood, urine, or stool. Stool samples may also be taken from members of the patient's family to identify any 'healthy' carriers.
Source: www.dshs.state.tx.us
How can Typhoid fever be avoided?
Following basic actions can be used to avoid typhoid fever: Avoid eating risky foods and drinks. Getting vaccinated against typhoid fever. Buy bottled water or boil it before drinking. Ask for drinks without ice unless the ice is made from bottled or boiled water. Avoid raw vegetables and fruits that cannot be peeled. Vegetables like lettuce are easily contaminated and are very hard to wash well. Foods and beverages from street vendors should
Source: www.india.gov.in
What are the signs and symptoms of typhoid fever?
Persons with typhoid fever usually have a sustained fever as high as 103° to 104° F (39° to 40° C). They may also feel weak, or have stomach pains, headache, or loss of appetite. In some cases, patients have a rash of flat, rose-colored spots. The only way to know for sure if an illness is typhoid fever is to have samples of stool or blood tested for the presence of S. Typhi .
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How can you avoid typhoid fever?
Two basic actions can protect you from typhoid fever: 1. Avoid risky foods and drinks. 2. Get vaccinated against typhoid fever. It may surprise you, but watching what you eat and drink when you travel is as important as being vaccinated. This is because the vaccines are not completely effective. Avoiding risky foods will also help protect you from other illnesses, including travelers’ diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, and hepatitis A.
Source: animegeek.wordpress.com
Who should be especially careful about typhoid fever? Who is likely to get typhoid fever?
Anyone can get typhoid fever, but the greatest risk is to travelers visiting countries where the disease is common.
Source: www.dshs.state.tx.us
How do I protect myself from typhoid fever?
There are currently two vaccines available for typhoid fever. However, because the vaccines are not completely effective, good personal hygiene, including frequent handwashing, and precautions with food and water (see below) are also important.
Source: www.dshs.state.tx.us
What if I think I have typhoid fever?
Consult your healthcare provider, and mention any recent travel to high-risk areas.
Source: www.dshs.state.tx.us
Where in the world do you get typhoid fever?
Typhoid fever is common in most parts of the world except in industrialized regions such as the United States, Canada, Western Europe, Australia, and Japan. Therefore, if you are traveling to the developing world, you should consider taking precautions. Over the past 10 years, travelers from the United States to Asia, Africa, and Latin America have been especially at risk.
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How do I protect others from typhoid fever?
If you (and others) are traveling to countries where typhoid is present, consider getting vaccinated (consult a healthcare professional or travel clinic about age requirements and waiting time before it becomes effective) and follow sanitary precautions during the trip. Someone diagnosed with typhoid fever may still pass the infection on to others, even after the symptoms disappear. To minimize this risk: Wash hands frequently and thoroughly, especially after going to the bathroom. ...
Source: www.dshs.state.tx.us
Can immunity to cancer be acquired as with diphtheria or typhoid fever?
Production of immunity is possible only in diseases caused by germs. As cancer is not caused by germs, immunity cannot be developed against it. But scientists are exploring possibilities of vaccines for cancer.
Source: bareillycancertrust.com
Can immunity to cancer be acquired as with diptheria or typhoid fever?
Production of immunity is possible only in diseases caused by germs. As cancer is not caused by germs, immunity cannot be developed against it as far as our knowledge goes today.
Source: www.indiancancersociety.org
What do you do if you think you have typhoid fever?
If you suspect you have typhoid fever, see a doctor immediately. If you are traveling in a foreign country, you can usually call the U.S. consulate for a list of recommended doctors. You will probably be given an antibiotic to treat the disease. Three commonly prescribed antibiotics are ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and ciprofloxacin. Persons given antibiotics usually begin to feel better within 2 to 3 days, and deaths rarely occur. ...
Source: www.worldworx.tv
Should I worry about typhoid fever when I travel out of the country?
Typhoid fever is common in most parts of the world except in industrialized regions. Over the past 10 years, travelers to Asia (particularly the Indian subcontinent), Africa, and Latin America have been especially at risk. The risk is greater for those who travel to developing countries and who travel in smaller cities, villages, and rural areas off the usual tourist routines. To minimize your risk: Drink only water that you have boiled or treated with chlorine or iodine. ...
Source: www.dshs.state.tx.us
30+ years ago, I was vaccinated for yellow fever, typhoid fever and other nasty stuff -- does my body still have the antibodies for these diseases?
It might. We are finding that about a quarter of people who were vaccinated for smallpox 25+ years ago are still fully immune, and the rest would get it back very quickly with a “booster” shot. Still, if you plan to go to a place where those are prevalent, I'd ask my health care specialist about booster shots to be on the safe side.
Source: www.uchsc.edu
