Typhoid fever

By Dr Anmol Arora ( Sr Homoeopathic specialist )

Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection characterized by diarrhea, systemic disease, and a rash — most commonly caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi (S. typhi).

Causes

The bacteria that causes typhoid fever — S. typhi — spreads through contaminated food, drink, or water. If you eat or drink something that is contaminated, the bacteria enters your body, and goes into your intestines, and then into your bloodstream, where it can travel to your lymph nodes, gallbladder, liver, spleen, and other parts of the body.

A few people can become carriers of S. typhi and continue to release the bacteria in their stools for years, spreading the disease.

Typhoid fever is common in developing countries, but fewer than 400 cases are reported in the U.S. each year. Most cases in the U.S. are brought in from overseas.

Symptoms

Early symptoms include fever, general ill-feeling, and abdominal pain. A high (over 103 degrees) fever and severe diarrhea occur as the disease gets worse.

Some people with typhoid fever develop a rash called “rose spots,” which are small red spots on the belly and chest.

Other symptoms that occur include:

• Abdominal tenderness
• Agitation
• Bloody stools
• Chills
• Confusion
• Difficulty paying attention (attention deficit)
• Delirium
• Fluctuating mood
• Hallucinations
• Nosebleeds
• Severe fatigue
• Slow, sluggish, lethargic feeling
• Weakness

Exams and Tests

A complete blood count (CBC) will show a high number of white blood cells.

A blood culture during first week of the fever can show S. typhi bacteria

Other tests that can help diagnose this condition include:

• Stool culture
• ELISA urine test to look for the bacteria that causes Typhoid fever
• Platelet count (platelet count will be low)
• Fluorescent antibody study to look for substances specific to Typhoid bacteria

Treatment

Baptisia is the well proved medicine used for enteric fever with a gold standard

Outlook (Prognosis)

Symptoms usually improve in 2 to 4 weeks with treatment. The outcome is likely to be good with early treatment, but becomes poor if complications develop.

Symptoms may return if the treatment has not completely cured the infection.

Possible Complications

• Intestinal hemorrhage (severe GI bleeding)
• Intestinal perforation
• Kidney failure
• Peritonitis

‘ HOMOEOPATHY FOR TOTAL SAFE AND NATURAL WAY OF CURE WITHOUT SIDE EFFECTS ‘