Introduction
In both urban and rural settings, typhoid is primarily linked to poor sanitation and a lack of safe drinking water. However, both climate change and urbanization, which are both associated with overcrowded populations and insufficient water and sanitation systems, have the potential to worsen the typhoid epidemic's global impact. Typhoid is spreading and being treated more readily as a result of rising antibiotic resistance.
Typhoid affects between 11 and 20 million people annually, and between 128 and 161 000 people die from it worldwide. Children, vulnerable populations, and poor communities are most at risk.
In many areas where typhoid is an endemic disease, particularly in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, travelers run the danger of contracting the illness. When exposed to subpar levels of personal cleanliness, food hygiene, or poor water quality elsewhere, travelers are typically at danger.
Given that immunization does not provide 100% protection, even travelers who have had their shots should take precautions to avoid consuming possibly contaminated food and water.
Symptoms and treatment
These signs include:
Long-lasting high fever, exhaustion, headache, nausea, abdominal pain, constipation, or, in some cases, diarrhea, rash.
Serious complications or even death could result from severe cases.
Antibiotics can be used to treat typhoid fever. In areas afflicted by antibiotic resistance, especially resistance to fluoroquinolones, newer antibiotics such cephalosporins and azithromycin are employed. The development of a Salmonella Typhi strain with high antibiotic resistance in 2017 is just one example of the observed rise in cephalosporin resistance. Occasionally, reports of azithromycin resistance have been made.
Even when the symptoms subside, between 2-5% of patients may continue to harbor the bacteria in their feces, contaminating food and water, and contributing to the spread of typhoid. It's crucial that anyone receiving typhoid fever treatment follow these instructions:
Take the prescription antibiotics as directed by your doctor.
After visiting the restroom, they should wash their hands with soap and water. They should also refrain from cooking or serving meals to others. By doing this, the likelihood of spreading the infection to others will be reduced.
After the course of antibiotics, have their doctor perform a test to make sure there are no leftover Salmonella Typhi bacteria in their body.
Prevention
Effective methods for preventing and controlling typhoid include access to clean water and adequate sanitation, health education, proper food handler hygiene, and typhoid vaccine.
Typhoid has long been prevented by vaccinations:
a more recent injectable typhoid conjugate vaccine for children and adults from 6 months to 45 years of age, consisting of the Vi antigen linked to tetanus toxoid protein; an injectable vaccine based on the purified antigen for people over 2 years of age; and a live attenuated oral vaccine in capsule form for people over 6 years of age.
These vaccinations are not recommended for use in children under the age of two since they do not offer long-lasting immunity.
