Typhoid in India: Several sections of the country are experiencing a seasonal increase of typhoid. Every year, an estimated 9 million people develop typhoid and 110 000 people die from it, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Typhoid fever is a potentially fatal sickness caused by the bacteria Salmonella Typhi. It is typically transmitted by contaminated food or drink. Salmonella Typhi bacteria proliferate and spread into the bloodstream after being consumed.
According to the World Health Organization, urbanization and climate change have the potential to raise the worldwide typhoid burden. Furthermore, rising antibiotic resistance makes typhoid transmission easier in regions lacking access to safe drinking water or proper sanitation, according to WHO.
Symptoms of Typhoid ?
Persons with typhoid fever carry the bacteria in their bloodstream and intestinal tract. Symptoms include:
Prolonged high fever,
Fatigue,
Headache,
Nausea,
Abdominal pain,
and Constipation or Diarrhoea.
“Some patients may have a rash. Severe cases may lead to serious complications or even death. Typhoid fever can be confirmed through blood testing,” WHO maintains.
How to treat Typhoid ?
According to WHO, Typhoid can be treated with antibiotics. “Even when the symptoms go away, people may still be carrying typhoid bacteria, meaning they can spread it to others, through shedding of bacteria in their faeces,” WHO added.
According to WHO, it is important for people being treated for typhoid fever to do the following:
- Take prescribed antibiotics for as long as the doctor has prescribed.
- Wash their hands with soap and water after using the bathroom and avoid preparing or serving food for other people. This will lower the chance of passing the infection on to someone else.
- Have their doctor test to ensure that no Salmonella Typhi bacteria remain in their body.
How to prevent Typhoid ?
According to WHO, because typhoid is prevalent in areas with poor sanitation and a lack of safe drinking water, access to safe water and adequate sanitation, food handler hygiene, and typhoid immunization are all beneficial in avoiding typhoid fever.
Source:FE