According to WHO, an estimated 9 million people fall sick, and 110,000 people die every year because of typhoid. Since December 2017, the World Health Organization has prequalified two conjugate vaccines, now included in pediatric vaccination programs in countries where this disease has become an epidemic.

What is Typhoid?

It is a fever that happens because of a bacteria known as Salmonella typhi. This bacteria leads to high fever, diarrhea, and flu-like symptoms. Even if the person doesn’t feel sick, they can still be infected with this disease. It is a life-threatening disease, and an immediate typhoid treatment begins with antibiotics.

The symptoms of typhoid generally start 1 or 2 weeks after the bacteria infect the person. And with effective treatment, the symptoms should go down in 3 to 5 days. This bacteria quickly travels through contaminated food and water and spreads the disease. 

So. If someone consumes food or water contaminated with the feces of an infected person, they can get this disease. Anyone with weak immunity, like small kids and older adults, is more suspected of this illness. This fever can affect many organs and is highly contagious. 

What are Typhoid Symptoms?

Some typhoid fever symptoms are listed below:

  • Prolonged fever
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Constipation
  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Rash
  • Chills
  • Agitation, disorientation, delirium, and delusions—the perception of sounds or images that are not real
  • Difficulty in paying attention
  • Nosebleeds
  • Serious complications
  • Death

How is Typhoid Diagnosed?

In most cases, the doctor suspects it based on the patient’s symptoms, travel, and medical history. The doctor conducts and verifies the diagnosis by cultivating Salmonella enterica serotype typhi in a sample of your bodily fluid or tissue.

How to Treat Typhoid?

One of the ways of treating typhoid fever is through medicines. However, this is becoming complex as human bodies become resilient to different medicines. Depending on the vaccine, doctors advise conjugate vaccines for this disease in children from 6 months to adults up to 45 or 65 years.

Typhoid fever treatment is necessary, which is often antibiotics. If the treatment is delayed, it can take weeks or months to recover from this infection fully. Moreover, leaving it untreated may even result in complications and become life-threatening.

What to Eat and What Not to Eat During Typhoid?

Although diet cannot undo the fever, it can help control symptoms and offer relief. Certain food products help cope with this disease; some can be avoided altogether. Diet is necessary since this fever can weaken a person, and they need strength and energy to recover. 

People with this fever should eat Omega-3 fatty acids and protein food, such as eggs and soybeans. Besides, some fruits like apples, ripe bananas, and papaya are also good to be consumed. Eating easy-to-digest food like porridge, chicken soup, baked potatoes, mushrooms, tofu, and soft rice is advised.

You can also add lemon juice as the citrus helps in recovery. In addition, including turmeric milk in the diet is also beneficial. Avoid whole grains, nuts, raw vegetables, and dried fruits. 

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Bottom Line

Typhoid is a fatal illness that takes many lives every year. Therefore, if you suffer from this fever, you should meet the doctor and get the necessary tests to rule out the illness. If the doctor confirms the fever, you must follow a proper diet to recover, as this disease will make you weak quickly. In addition, if you are not already vaccinated, you must get it done.