Typhoid Fever Symptoms and Treatment

April 29, 2009 by Health Doctor 

Typhoid fever is a fever caused by the Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphi bacteria, a related bacterium that usually causes a less severe illness. These bacteria are live in water or food by a human carrier and are then spread to other people in the area.

Based on historical data, the incidence of typhoid fever in the USA has decreased since the early 1900s. Today, less than 500 cases are reported annually in the USA, mostly in people who recently have traveled to endemic areas. This is in comparison to the 1920s, when over 35,000 cases were reported in the USA. This increasement is the result of improved environmental sanitation. Mexico and South America are the most common areas for U.S. citizens to contract typhoid fever. India, and Pakistan are also known high-risk areas for developing this fever. Worldwide, typhoid fever affects more than 13 million people annually, with over 500,000 patients dying of the disease.

Typhoid Fever Symptoms

Most incubation period takes about one to two weeks, and the duration of the illness is approximately four to six weeks. The patient will experience:

* poor appetite,
* headaches,
* generalized aches and pains,
* fever,
* lethargy, and
* diarrhea.

People who suffer typhoid fever usually have a sustained fever as high as 103 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit (39 to 40 degrees Celsius).

Chest congestion develops in many patients, and abdominal pain and discomfort are common. The fever becomes constant. Improvement occurs in the third and fourth week in those without complications. Almost 10% of patients have recurrent symptoms (relapse) after feeling better for one to two weeks. Relapses are actually more common in individuals treated with antibiotics.

Typhoid Fever Treatment

We can take antibiotics to cure Typhoid fever. Some antibiotics are effective for the treatment of this disease. Chloramphenicol was the original drug of choice for many years. Because of its side effect, chloramphenicol has been replaced by other effective antibiotics. The choice of antibiotics needs to be guided by identifying the geographic region where the organism was acquired and the results of cultures once available. For those who often traveling to high-risk areas, vaccines are now available.

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