TYPHOID FEVER

  "PROTECT YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES AGAINST TYPHOID FEVER. GET VACCINATED TODAY"

Typhoid fever is caused by Salmonella typhi bacteria. It remains a serious health threat in the developing world, especially for children.

Typhoid fever spreads through contaminated food and water or through close contact with someone who's infected. Signs and symptoms usually include high fever, headache, abdominal pain, and either constipation or diarrhea. If you don't receive treatment, you may:

• Become delirious;
• Lie motionless and exhausted with your eyes half-closed in what's known as the typhoid state.

Most people with typhoid fever feel better within a few days of starting antibiotic treatment, although a small number of them may die of complications. In some people, signs and symptoms may return up to two weeks after the fever has subsided. Vaccines against typhoid fever are available.

COMPLICATIONS

Intestinal bleeding or holes

The most serious complications of typhoid fever — intestinal bleeding or holes (perforations) in the intestine — may develop in the third week of illness and triggering signs and symptoms, such as severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and bloodstream infection (sepsis). This life-threatening complication requires immediate medical care.

Other, less common complications

Other possible complications include: Inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis); Inflammation of the lining of the heart and valves (endocarditis); Pneumonia; Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis); Kidney or bladder infections; Psychiatric problems, such as delirium, hallucinations and paranoid psychosis

With prompt treatment, nearly all people in developed nations recover from typhoid fever. Without treatment, some people may not survive complications of the disease.

TREATMENTS AND DRUGS

Antibiotic therapy is the only effective treatment for typhoid fever.

PREVENTION

In many developing nations, the public health goals that can help prevent and control typhoid fever — safe drinking water, improved sanitation and adequate medical care — may be difficult to achieve. For that reason, some experts believe that vaccinating high-risk populations is the best way to control typhoid fever.

A vaccine is recommended if you're traveling to areas where the risk of getting typhoid fever is high.

THE WAY FORWARD

• Vaccination. Get vaccinated today. The Quick Medics Team can vaccinate you against this disease right in your home and at your convenience. Call us today on 08187909813, 08186086785 or 07034750003
• Wash your hands. Frequent hand-washing in hot, soapy water is the best way to control infection. Wash before eating or preparing food and after using the toilet. Carry an alcohol-based handsanitizer for times when water isn't available.
• Avoid drinking untreated water.
• Avoid raw fruits and vegetables. Because raw produce may have been washed in unsafe water, avoid fruits and vegetables that you can't peel, especially lettuce. To be absolutely safe, you may want to avoid raw foods entirely.
• Choose hot foods. Avoid food that's stored or served at room temperature. Steaming hot foods are best. And although there's no guarantee that meals served at the finest restaurants are safe, it's best to avoid food from street vendors — it's more likely to be contaminated.

If you're recovering from typhoid fever, these measures can help keep others safe:

• Take your antibiotics and Wash your hands often. .
• Avoid handling food. Avoid preparing food for others until your doctor says you're no longer contagious.