Some cases of typhoid may become fatal. It is important to deal with it the moment you notice the symptoms of typhoid.
It starts with a fever, then goes on to affect the body’s digestive and nervous systems. Typhoid is normally treatable, but when left to its own devices without medical intervention for long, it can also turn fatal.
What causes typhoid?
Interestingly, typhoid is often caused due to human activity. It is typically transmitted among human beings by bacteria in water or food left behind by a human carrier.
It is characterised by high fever caused by the Salmonella Typhi bacteria. Typically, the illness is caused by drinking or eating food or liquids contaminated by the bacteria. If you are a carrier, you may contaminate the water supply through water supply, or by touching raw food with dirty hands. Normally, food is contaminated by the water supply. The Salmonella Typhi bacteria can live for several weeks in sewage or still water.
The symptoms of typhoid to watch out for
The most significant symptoms of typhoid are an itchy skin rash on the neck, shoulders and belly, and high fever. These symptoms are noticeable once you have been exposed to the Salmonella Typhi bacteria between 5 and 25 days. The fever rises progressively, and may even cause headaches and dull heaviness at the back of the head.
Other symptoms of typhoid include:
- Belly ache or radiating pains in the abdomen
- Constipation
- Chest congestion
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness or fatigue
You should consult your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms. It is important to practice typhoid prevention in localities where other typhoid cases have been detected, starting with drinking boiled water and keeping your food preparation areas as germ-free and contamination-free as possible.
How to cure typhoid: 3 easy ways
Typhoid prevention is important, since it will stop you from contracting the illness in the first place. The utmost levels of hygiene at home will help keep you safe. But if you have contracted it, then you can try these 3 ways to cure it:
#1 Follow an antibiotics course: The best way to kill the lurking bacteria in the gut is to follow a course of antibiotics for a week. Your doctor will run some blood work on you and prescribe retroviral drugs to contain and kill the infection. Typhoid normally goes away in about a week of taking antibiotics.
#2 Keep your hands clean to break the cycle of illness:Unclean hands can spread the infectious bacteria to food and drinks. Wash your hands with a good antibacterial soap to kill up to 99.9% germs on the skin.
#3 Keep yourself hydrated: You will lose a lot of water via diarrhoea. The best way to bring the typhoid fever down is to sip on water throughout the day. It regulates the body temperature and replaces water lost to diarrhoea, apart from flushing out toxins from the system.