What is typhoid?
Typhoid is a bacterial infection that can cause high fever, diarrhea and vomiting. It is caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhi). If a doctor catches it early, they can treat it with antibiotics. Otherwise, typhoid can be fatal and due to this, the patient may have to face many serious problems, in which there is even a risk of death.
Typhoid is generally seen as a severe fever and is also called Motijhara in India. In some rural parts, typhoid is also seen as a mother. Typhoid is also called bone fever.
Lancet claims “Typhoid has become more serious”. The Lancet Claims “Typhoid has become more severe”.
A study published in The Lancet has claimed that typhoid fever has now become more serious than before. While publishing this study, the magazine has written that the medicines given for typhoid in the countries of South Asia are gradually becoming inactive. The reason for this is “the typhoid bacteria i.e. Salmonella Typhimurium (S. Typhi) is more resistant to antibiotics.” This study found that apart from other antibiotics, typhoid bacteria have become more antibiotic resistant due to two special antibiotics, macrolides and quinolones. And this is happening not only in India, but also in India’s close countries Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
Between 2014 and 2019, scientists took the genomes of 3,489 cases of S. Typhi for study. The samples for the study were collected specifically from Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan and were combined with the analysis of 4,169 similar samples from more than 70 countries over a period of 113 years, making it the largest study of its kind. Went.
According to published studies, more than 100,000 people lose their lives annually due to typhoid fever. Because Salmonella Typhimurium bacteria i.e. S. Typhi is continuously becoming stronger than before and it is now capable of fighting antibiotics. According to a study published in Lancet, almost all drug-resistant strains have emerged from South Asia and have spread to other countries since 1990 and about 200 cases have been reported.
For years scientists have been beating the drum about increasing cases of deadly worms that can evade treatment with the most powerful antibiotics. Drug-resistant diseases killed more people in 2019 than HIV or malaria, according to a separate study published in January. Recent examples include last year’s deadly fungal outbreak in India, as well as rising infections in the US, where misuse of antibiotics in humans and animals leads to poor hygiene.
At the same time, according to a news, the Health Ministry of India is considering introducing new typhoid vaccines in the national vaccination program. Two WHO-pre-qualified vaccines have been developed in India by Bharat Biotech and Biological E.
Know more, What is genome?
“A genome is the complete set of genetic information in an organism. It provides all the information the organism needs to function. In living organisms, the genome is stored in long molecules of DNA called chromosomes. In simple words, this is also a kind of test sample.”
What are the symptoms of typhoid?
The signs and symptoms of typhoid are likely to develop gradually. Often appear one to three weeks after exposure to the disease. The symptoms of this severe fever are described as follows:-
At the beginning of the disease
Signs and symptoms include:
A fever that starts low and increases daily, possibly reaching 104.9 F (40.5 C).
If proper treatment is not received, the patient may experience the following serious symptoms: –
In some people, signs and symptoms may return up to two weeks after the fever subsides.
What are the causes of typhoid fever?
Typhoid fever is caused by a dangerous bacteria called Salmonella Typhi. Salmonella Typhi is related to the bacteria that causes salmonellosis, another serious intestinal infection, but they are not the same.
Fecal-oral transmission route
Most people in developed countries catch typhoid bacteria while traveling. Once they become infected, they can spread it to others through the fecal-oral route.
This means that Salmonella typhi is passed in the stool and sometimes the urine of infected people. If you eat food that has been infected with typhoid fever and has not been washed carefully after using the toilet, you may become infected.
In developing countries, where typhoid fever is established, most people become infected by drinking contaminated water. The bacteria can also spread through contaminated food and direct contact with an infected person.
Typhoid carriers
Even after antibiotic treatment, a small number of people who recover from typhoid fever continue to have the bacteria. These people, known as chronic carriers, no longer have signs or symptoms of the disease themselves. However, they still shed the bacteria in their stool and are able to infect others.
What are the risk factors for typhoid? What is the risk factor for Typhoid?
Typhoid fever is a serious threat worldwide and affects approximately 27 million or more people each year. The disease is established in India, Southeast Asia, Africa, South America and many other regions.
Worldwide, children are at greatest risk of contracting the disease, although they usually have milder symptoms than adults.
If you live in a country where typhoid fever is rare, you are at increased risk if you:
What complications can occur from typhoid fever?
Intestinal bleeding or holes
Intestinal bleeding or hole in the intestine are the most serious complications of typhoid fever. They usually develop in the third week of illness. In this condition, a hole occurs in the small intestine or large intestine. Contents from the intestine leak into the stomach and can cause severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and bloodstream infection (sepsis). This life-threatening complication requires immediate medical care.
Infection and inflammation of the membranes and fluid around your brain and spinal cord (meningitis)
mental problems, such as delirium, hallucinations, and paranoid psychosis
With prompt treatment, almost everyone in industrialized countries recovers from typhoid fever. Without treatment, some people may not survive complications of the disease.
How is typhoid fever diagnosed?
Medical and travel history
Your doctor will likely suspect typhoid fever based on your symptoms and your medical and travel history. The diagnosis is usually confirmed by identifying Salmonella typhi in a culture of your blood or other body fluid or tissue.
Body fluid or tissue culture
For culture, a small sample of your blood, stool, urine, or bone marrow is placed on a special medium that encourages the growth of bacteria. The culture is checked under a microscope for the presence of typhoid bacteria. Bone marrow culture is often the most sensitive test for Salmonella typhi.
Although performing a culture test is the most common diagnostic test, other tests can be used to confirm a suspected typhoid fever infection, such as a test to detect antibodies to typhoid bacteria in your blood, or a Test that checks for typhoid DNA in your blood.
How is typhoid fever treated?
Antibiotic therapy is the only effective treatment for typhoid fever.
Commonly prescribed antibiotics include:
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) :- Unfortunately, many Salmonella typhi bacteria are no longer susceptible to these types of antibiotics, especially strains raised in Southeast Asia.
Azithromycin (Zithromax) :- This may be used when a person is unable to take ciprofloxacin or the bacteria are resistant to ciprofloxacin.
Ceftriaxone: This injectable antibiotic is an alternative in more complex or serious infections and for those who may not be candidates for ciprofloxacin, such as children.
These medications can cause side effects, and long-term use may lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Problems with antibiotic resistance
Chloramphenicol was the most preferred drug for typhoid. Doctors no longer commonly use it because of side effects, high rates of deterioration in health after a period of improvement, and widespread bacterial resistance.
In fact, antibiotic-resistant bacteria are becoming more common, especially in developing countries. In recent years, Salmonella Typhi has also proven resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, ampicillin, and ciprofloxacin.
Other treatments include:
Drinking fluids:- It helps prevent dehydration that results from prolonged fever and diarrhea. If you are severely dehydrated, you may need to receive fluids through a vein (intravenous).
Surgery Drinking fluids :- If your intestines are torn, you will need surgery to repair the hole.