Typhoid fever is an infectious disease that causes damage to the lymphatic system, in particular the lymph nodes of the intestine. The ailment, as a rule, proceeds cyclically, and patients with a similar diagnosis require hospitalization and constant medical supervision, as this is the only way to prevent relapse and possible complications.
Typhoid fever: causes of the disease
As already mentioned, this disease has an infectious origin, and its causative agent is the gram-positive bacterium Salmonella typhi. The source of infection is a sick person - the greatest number of pathogenic organisms is excreted during periods of exacerbation of the disease along with feces and urine. Of course, infection can occur during close contact with another person. However, in most cases, infection of the body occurs with the use of contaminated water and products that have not undergone sufficient heat treatment. By the way, outbreaks of the disease are most often observed in the summer and autumn season.
Typhoid fever: main symptoms
The incubation period of the disease in most cases ranges from 10 to 14 days. Typhoid develops gradually, and begins with an increase in body temperature. Along with fever, other symptoms appear, such as weakness, aches, dizziness, and drowsiness. The skin becomes pale and extremely dry. Around the eighth day, a very characteristic rash begins to appear on the body, which is a small reddish spot. Rashes do not cause the patient much concern and, as a rule, disappear on their own after a few days. Only in the most severe cases, the rash becomes hemorrhagic.
Patients often complain of bloating and rumbling in the abdomen. Symptoms include constipation, which, however, is not of concern to all patients. Within a few days, a person’s condition deteriorates sharply. The clinical picture becomes brighter, body temperature rises significantly, which affects the state of the nervous system. Exacerbation of the disease is often accompanied by hallucinations and delirium.
Typhoid fever is a cyclic disease. If the treatment was insufficient, then repeated exacerbations are not excluded. Relapses are accompanied by less severe symptoms without a strong increase in temperature. On the other hand, frequent repeated attacks are fraught with consequences.
Typhoid fever is an extremely dangerous disease. Firstly, the lack of therapy can lead to intestinal bleeding or perforation (rupture) of the intestinal wall. Secondly, such an infection increases the likelihood of developing otitis media, inflammation of the salivary glands, pneumonia, and cystitis. In some cases, typhoid gives complications to the cardiovascular system.
Typhoid fever: treatment and diagnosis
In the presence of such symptoms, it is better to immediately seek help. Of course, first you need to conduct a study on typhoid fever. The causative agent, as a rule, can be detected by laboratory analysis of blood, urine or feces.
A person with such a diagnosis needs hospitalization, strict bed rest and a high-calorie diet. Antibiotics are used for treatment. In addition, antipyretic and sedative drugs are used. Vaccination is also carried out, which reduces the risk of relapse. In most cases, treatment lasts about a month, and with timely assistance, the prognosis for the patient is favorable.