Typhoid Antibiotic Treatment: Contaminated water is currently causing a stir in many cities across the country, including Indore. Let us explain how to prevent typhoid caused by it.

Food and Water Borne Diseases: Typhoid continues to be a major health challenge in India. Numerous cases are reported annually, particularly during the monsoon season and beyond. A recent typhoid outbreak in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, resulted in nearly 100 hospitalizations, highlighting the rapid spread of the disease in areas with poor water and poor sanitation. Typhoid is caused by Salmonella typhi, a bacterium that enters the body through contaminated food and water. If not treated promptly, it can be fatal.

What is typhoid fever?

Typhoid fever is a serious infection, also known as enteric fever in medical terms. This disease primarily affects the intestines and blood, causing high fever, abdominal pain, and weakness. In India, approximately 4.7 to 4.8 million cases of typhoid are reported each year, and many people die. The disease is most prevalent in children and young adults, but anyone living or traveling in areas with poor water and sanitation can be affected.

When does it become dangerous?

Typhoid treatment becomes even more dangerous if it is not diagnosed early or if antibiotics are given that do not work against the bacteria. In many parts of India, typhoid bacteria have now become resistant to drugs, making treatment even more difficult. Contaminated water and poor sanitation are the main causes of typhoid spread in India. In many places, open wells, hand pumps, and pipelines are still used, which become contaminated with sewage during rains or floods. Open defecation, overflowing drains, and poor sewage systems also contribute to the rapid spread of the bacteria.

Additionally, poor food preparation and sale is a major cause. Unhygienic food, such as street food, raw vegetables, lassi, and sugarcane juice, if not prepared with clean water and hands, increases the risk of spreading infection. Some people, even after recovering from typhoid, continue to carry the bacteria in their bodies and unknowingly infect others.

When do the symptoms start appearing?

Typhoid symptoms usually appear 1 to 3 weeks after infection. Initially, they resemble the flu. Common symptoms include a gradually increasing high fever, headache, weakness, extreme fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, a dry cough, and a slow heartbeat despite the high fever. As the disease progresses, small pink rashes may appear on the chest and abdomen, the abdomen may become distended, and weakness may worsen. In severe cases, patients may experience confusion, unconsciousness, bleeding, or perforation of the intestines, which are considered medical emergencies. Anyone with a high fever and abdominal pain for more than 3 to 4 days should be tested for typhoid.