Typhoid Prophylaxis

Typhoid General Information

Typhoid fever is the generic medical term given to a bacterial disease that is also commonly known as bilious fever, enteric fever or Yellow Jack. This disease is caused by the Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi bacteria, and is a rare disease in developed countries. While cases may appear all over the world, this disease is more common in underdeveloped regions. The bacteria causing this disease can be spread through food or water infected with feces from a carrier individual, or through close contact with an infected person.

Once an individual has been infected with the bacteria, symptoms such as fever, headaches, constipation or diarrhea and abdominal pain begin to appear, worsening with time. Untreated cases lead most of the time to the death of the patient; however antibiotics treatment is typically effective in curing the disease. In most patients, there is an improvement within a few days once therapy has begun, however a small percentage of patients may still die because of complications. As such, diagnosing the affection and beginning the treatment as soon as possible is crucial to minimize the patient’s risks.

At this time, although available, vaccines against Typhoid fever are only partially effective. Vaccination is typically performed only on individuals that are exposed to the disease and those that travel to endemic areas.

Typhoid Prophylaxis

In many underdeveloped countries, the conditions that are appropriate for Typhoid Prophylaxis such as safe drinking water, proper medical care and proper sanitation are not always available. In such conditions vaccination may be the best way to prevent the disease; however neither of the two vaccines are 100% effective and may require repeated vaccination. The vaccines are available one under the form of a single-dose injection, while the other is administered orally in multiple doses over a few days. Apart from vaccination, taking a few preventive measures as part of Typhoid Prophylaxis may reduce the risk of contracting the disease. As with all infections, frequent and thorough washing of the hands with soap or an alcohol-based cleansing lotion is highly recommended, especially before eating. Safe drinking water may be unavailable in endemic areas. As such, it is best to drink only bottled water and beverages. Carbonated bottled water is safer than regular water and the outside of the cans or bottles must be wiped with a clean cloth and disinfectant if you are not certain regarding the safe storage of the container. Ice should be avoided, as it may be contaminated. Bottled or boiled water should be used for personal hygiene and especially for brushing your teeth. Also, avoid swallowing any water when showering.

Although normally raw fruits and vegetables are a valuable addition to any meal, in endemic areas these should be avoided as part of Typhoid Prophylaxis. These may have been in contact with contaminated water and may thus lead to infection. Generally, hot food that has been boiled or roasted should be safe, and you should avoid consumption of any foods available from street vendors as it is more likely to be contaminated. There is no guarantee regarding restaurant food, so the best choice would be to cook your own food in proper conditions, and using boiled or bottled water.

In the case of individuals that are recovering from the disease, Typhoid Prophylaxis implies means to avoid spreading the infections to others. The patient may no longer be affected by the disease but he or she may still infect other people. As such, proper washing of the hands should be performed often, especially before coming in contact with items and surfaces that are commonly used by other people as well. Such items and surfaces should also be cleaned regularly, and disposable towels and napkins should be used instead of cloth and should be disposed of properly. Personal items should be kept in separate locations, and the carrier individual should avoid handling food.

Typhoid Treatment

Treatment against Typhoid fever consists of antibiotic medication. Typically, the prescribing health care professional will prescribe Ciprofloxacin in doses that vary depending on the patient’s medical history, his or her age and general health condition. However, this drug may not be suitable for pregnant women and for children, so in such cases the treatment consists of Ceftriaxone injections. In some cases, side effects associated with these medications may appear. For more information regarding the possible side effects, as well as for information regarding how to treat them it is advised to consult a pharmacist, a doctor or a nurse.

In the case of prolonged antibiotic treatment for Typhoid fever, the bacteria may develop antibiotic resistance. As such, using the same antibiotic for prolonged periods of time should be avoided. Several antibiotics can no longer be used to treat this disease, due to the high developed resistance of the bacteria. Examples of such drugs are Ampicillin, Chloramphenicol and Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole. Apart from medication treatment, supportive therapy to manage the disease symptoms may be employed. As part of this, the patient should drink a lot of fluids in order to prevent the dehydration associated with diarrhea and prolonged fever. If the patient is already suffering from severe dehydration, intravenous fluid may be administered A healthy diet may also contribute to the patient’s recovery. In most cases, a high-calorie regimen is recommended, to help replace the essential nutrients that are lost during sickness.