Typhoid fever (patient information): Difference between revisions
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==What are the symptoms of Typhoid fever?== | ==What are the symptoms of Typhoid fever?== | ||
*Abdominal tenderness | *[[Abdominal]] [[tenderness]] | ||
*Agitation | *[[Agitation]] | ||
*Bloody | *[[Bloody]] [[stool]]s | ||
* | *[[Chill]]s | ||
*Confusion | *[[Confusion]] | ||
*Difficulty paying attention (attention deficit) | *Difficulty paying attention ([[attention deficit]]) | ||
*Delirium | *[[Delirium]] | ||
*Fluctuating mood | *Fluctuating mood | ||
* | *[[Hallucination]]s | ||
* | *[[Nosebleed]]s | ||
*Severe fatigue | *Severe [[fatigue]] | ||
*Slow, sluggish, lethargic feeling | *Slow, sluggish, lethargic feeling | ||
*Weakness | *Weakness | ||
| Line 30: | Line 30: | ||
==What are the causes of Typhoid fever?== | ==What are the causes of Typhoid fever?== | ||
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 | 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 node]]s, [[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 | A few people can become carriers of S. typhi and continue to release the [[bacteria]] in their [[stool]]s 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. | [[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. | ||
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==How to know you have Typhoid fever?== | ==How to know you have Typhoid fever?== | ||
When you have tested positive for S. Typhi in either a [[stool culture]], [[ELISA]] or a [[Platelet]] count test facilitated by you're doctor. | |||
==When to seek urgent medical care== | ==When to seek urgent medical care== | ||
Call your health care provider if you have had any known exposure to typhoid fever or if you have been in an endemic area and symptoms of typhoid fever develop. Also call your health care provider if you have had typhoid fever and relapse occurs or if severe abdominal pain, decreased urine output, or other new symptoms develop. | Call your health care provider if you have had any known exposure to [[typhoid fever]] or if you have been in an endemic area and symptoms of typhoid fever develop. Also call your health care provider if you have had typhoid fever and relapse occurs or if severe [[abdominal pain]], decreased [[urine]] output, or other new symptoms develop. | ||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
Fluids and | Fluids and [[electrolyte]]s may be given through a vein (intravenously). Appropriate [[antibiotic]]s are given to kill the [[bacteria]]. There are increasing rates of [[antibiotic]] resistance throughout the world, so your health care provider will check current recommendations before choosing an antibiotic. | ||
You will probably be given an antibiotic to treat the disease. Three commonly prescribed antibiotics are ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and ciprofloxacin. Persons given antibiotics usually begin to feel better within 2 to 3 days, and deaths rarely occur. However, persons who do not get treatment may continue to have fever for weeks or months, and as many as 20% may die from complications of the infection. | You will probably be given an [[antibiotic]] to treat the disease. Three commonly prescribed antibiotics are [[ampicillin]], [[trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole]], and [[ciprofloxacin]]. Persons given antibiotics usually begin to feel better within 2 to 3 days, and deaths rarely occur. However, persons who do not get treatment may continue to have [[fever]] for weeks or months, and as many as 20% may die from complications of the infection. | ||
==Diseases with similar symptoms== | ==Diseases with similar symptoms== | ||
*Paratyphoid fever | *[[Paratyphoid fever]] | ||
*Parenteric Fever | *[[Parenteric Fever]] | ||
*Gastroenteritis | *[[Gastroenteritis]] | ||
*Typhomalarial fever | *[[Typhomalarial fever]] | ||
<ref>http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/t/typhoid_fever/symptoms.htm</ref> | <ref>http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/t/typhoid_fever/symptoms.htm</ref> | ||
==Where to find medical care for Typhoid fever== | ==Where to find medical care for Typhoid fever== | ||
| Line 68: | Line 68: | ||
==Prevention of Typhoid fever== | ==Prevention of Typhoid fever== | ||
[[Vaccine]]s are recommended for travel outside of the U.S., Canada, northern Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, and during [[epidemic]] outbreaks. | |||
Immunization is not always completely effective and at-risk travelers should drink only boiled or bottled water and eat well cooked food. Experimentation with an oral live attenuated typhoid vaccine is now underway and appears promising. | [[Immunization]] is not always completely effective and at-risk travelers should drink only boiled or bottled water and eat well cooked food. Experimentation with an oral live attenuated typhoid vaccine is now underway and appears promising. | ||
Adequate water treatment, waste disposal, and protection of food supply from contamination are important public health measures. Carriers of typhoid must not be allowed to work as food handlers. | Adequate water treatment, waste disposal, and protection of food supply from contamination are important public health measures. Carriers of [[typhoid]] must not be allowed to work as food handlers. | ||
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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 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 | Symptoms may return if the treatment has not completely cured the [[infection]]. | ||
Complications include: | Complications include: | ||
*Intestinal hemorrhage (severe GI bleeding) | *[[Intestinal hemorrhage]] (severe GI bleeding) | ||
*Intestinal perforation | *[[Intestinal perforation]] | ||
*Kidney failure | *[[Kidney]] failure | ||
*Peritonitis | *[[Peritonitis]] | ||
Revision as of 18:26, 22 June 2010
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What is Typhoid fever?
Typhoid fever is a life-threatening illness caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi.
What are the symptoms of Typhoid fever?
- Abdominal tenderness
- Agitation
- Bloody stools
- Chills
- Confusion
- Difficulty paying attention (attention deficit)
- Delirium
- Fluctuating mood
- Hallucinations
- Nosebleeds
- Severe fatigue
- Slow, sluggish, lethargic feeling
- Weakness
What are the causes of Typhoid fever?
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.
Who is at risk for Typhoid fever?
Anyone who has been in contact with Salmonella Tyhpi bacteria.
How to know you have Typhoid fever?
When you have tested positive for S. Typhi in either a stool culture, ELISA or a Platelet count test facilitated by you're doctor.
When to seek urgent medical care
Call your health care provider if you have had any known exposure to typhoid fever or if you have been in an endemic area and symptoms of typhoid fever develop. Also call your health care provider if you have had typhoid fever and relapse occurs or if severe abdominal pain, decreased urine output, or other new symptoms develop.
Treatment options
Fluids and electrolytes may be given through a vein (intravenously). Appropriate antibiotics are given to kill the bacteria. There are increasing rates of antibiotic resistance throughout the world, so your health care provider will check current recommendations before choosing an antibiotic.
You will probably be given an antibiotic to treat the disease. Three commonly prescribed antibiotics are ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and ciprofloxacin. Persons given antibiotics usually begin to feel better within 2 to 3 days, and deaths rarely occur. However, persons who do not get treatment may continue to have fever for weeks or months, and as many as 20% may die from complications of the infection.
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for Typhoid fever
Directions to Hospitals Treating Typhoid fever
Prevention of Typhoid fever
Vaccines are recommended for travel outside of the U.S., Canada, northern Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, and during epidemic outbreaks.
Immunization is not always completely effective and at-risk travelers should drink only boiled or bottled water and eat well cooked food. Experimentation with an oral live attenuated typhoid vaccine is now underway and appears promising.
Adequate water treatment, waste disposal, and protection of food supply from contamination are important public health measures. Carriers of typhoid must not be allowed to work as food handlers.
What to expect (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.
Complications include:
- Intestinal hemorrhage (severe GI bleeding)
- Intestinal perforation
- Kidney failure
- Peritonitis
Sources
References