Tuesday 16 August 2022

What are the different stages of typhoid fever?

typhoid fever
Typhoid Prevention

One of the most prevalent intestinal (enteric) illnesses known to humankind is typhoid. Typhoid fever is thought to cause 11–21 million cases worldwide per year, along with 200,000 fatalities. An estimated 5 million cases of paratyphoid fever are reported annually, with Southeast Asia having the highest incidence.

Typhoid is a stomach virus that causes diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. If ignored, it can even be fatal. Typhoid is fairly common in India, therefore it's crucial to understand its causes, symptoms, and treatments to protect yourself and your family.

What are causes of the typhoid fever

The majority of individuals who contract typhoid fever live in poorer nations with poor sanitation and difficult access to clean water. Typhoid fever is a dangerous and occasionally fatal sickness.

Salmonella typhi, which is linked to the Salmonella bacteria that causes food poisoning, is the bacterium that causes typhoid. When someone consumes or drinks something contaminated with the germs, it is transmitted. Once inside the body, the germs swiftly multiply and move throughout the bloodstream.

There are several things that can make you more likely to get typhoid fever. These consist of:

  • visiting regions where typhoid disease is prevalent (endemic areas).
  •  being in a line of work where exposure to the bacterium is possible, such those in labs and       hospitals.
  •  being in close proximity to someone who has typhoid.

What are the various typhoid fever stages?

If you have typhoid, you may be anxiously awaiting your recovery. However, there isn't simply one solution because typhoid has several stages.

There are four distinctive stages of typhoid fever and each lasts up to a week.

The first stage

The patient is currently exhibiting some of the early signs of typhoid, such as a dry cough, lethargy, or headache. Fever may or may not be present at the same time. Your body temperature won't be significantly higher than normal even if you develop a fever.

The second stage

This stage is marked by a high fever and bloating of the stomach. Another important indication of this period is weight reduction. Insomnia or fever dreams are frequent.

The third stage

At this point, things start to take a severe turn. Abdominal bleeding could result from a severe intestinal perforation. Brain inflammation or encephalitis could develop. The delirium may worsen as a result of the person becoming dehydrated. Even sitting up is difficult for the person, let alone standing or walking.

The fourth stage

Extremely high temperature is the defining feature of this stage. Other health issues it causes include serious infections, kidney failure, pneumonia, pancreatic inflammation, or meningitis.

The bacterium that causes typhoid can stay in the body for a very long time in certain people. Between 1% and 4% of individuals who have received treatment are thought to still excrete Salmonella typhi, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).