Typhoid - Catch it before it catches you

Summers are ahead and one should be ready to face various summer diseases. It is not that everyone should suffer from these diseases, but still precautions have to be taken by everyone. Precautions are better than Cure, so be ready to check out common summer diseases so that this summer may stay you healthy and fit. Typhoid is the most chronic disease among the summer diseases. Here are the efforts to give some collected tips about typhoid for one’s sound health.

Typhoid fever is an infection caused by a strain of bacteria called Salmonella typhi. Salmonella infection is a common bacterial disease that affects the intestinal tract. Salmonella bacteria typically live in animal feces(waste matter discharged from the bowls after food digestion).

Causes

Humans are most frequently infected through contaminated water or food. So this fever is mostly found in those parts of the world where levels of sanitation and hygiene are poor. It is also spread by flying insects feeding on feces. Habits of not washing hands after defecating and before handling food, play important role in spreading of this disease.

Symptoms

Following symptoms are seen or felt by the typhoid victims-

• Poor appetite.
• Fever that usually rises up to 104 F.
• Headache and muscular pain.
• Abdominal bloating and pain.
• Vomiting, Constipation or diarrhea.
• Intestinal bleeding or perforation(after two or three weeks of disease).

Untreated typhoid is divided into four different stages, each stage lasting for about a week-

• In the first stage/week, the body temperature rises slowly with fluctuations along with headache, cough, abdominal pain. White blood cells start decreasing and blood cultures are positive for Salmonella typhi. The widal test is usually negative in the first stage.
• In the second week, the fever rises to around 104 F and in typhoid generally fever rises in the afternoon upto the first and second week. The victim may suffer from Diarrhea with six to eight stools in a day. However, constipation may also occur. The spleen and liver are enlarged and liver is elevated. At this stage, the widal test is strongly positive.
• In the third week, the fever is still very high with number of complications like dehydration, pneumonia and acute bronchitis. Platelets count down and the risk of bleeding rises.
• In the fourth week, the fever starts subsiding.

But with Antibiotics treatment, symptoms start to subside after 5-7 days.

Complications

The main complication comes from the perforation of small intestine, resulting bacteria to pour into the abdominal cavity. The condition is called PERITONITIS and is very fatal. Other complication of typhoid occurs when a large number of bacteria get into the bloodstream, causing bacteremia. They can travel to the lungs-causing Pneumonia.

Treatment

After performing physical examination of the patient and knowing about the symptoms, the doctor advices for cultural blood and stool test. If typhoid is detected early, it can be treated with a course of oral antibiotics. The most commonly used are Ciprofloxacin and Levofloxacin. These antibiotics usually clear up symptoms in less than a week. Along with antibiotics, it is sensible to dehydrate by drinking adequate water. People with severe typhoid may be treated with Glucocorticoids such as  Dexamethasone. In cases where the bowl has become perforated, surgery may be required.

Prevention

Careful hand washing after bowel movements and prior to food handling will help prevent the spread of typhoid. Avoid taking contaminated food and water. Keep flies away from food. Cook food thoroughly and eat while it is hot. Avoid street vendors. Avoid smoking, tobacco, tea, coffee fast foods, junk foods and spices.

Home Remedies

Following are the home remedies for typhoid-

• Take deseeded munakka or dried grapes(8-10), anjeer(4-5) and khoob kalan(2 gms).Add water and grind to make chutney. Eat this chutney twice a day.
• Prepare decoction of munakka(15gms) and khoob kalan in water(1000 ml). When volume reduces to one-third, filter. Drink this decoction twice a day.
• Use Papaya, apple, chiku, milk, seasonal fruits which are easy to digest and light food such as moong dal khichdi.
• Bed rest is very important because the disease causes a lot of weakness.

Vaccination

Typhoid victims can spread the disease to others. Vaccination can prevent its spread. Typhoid vaccination is recommended for-

• Travelers to those parts of the world where typhoid is common.
• People in close contact with a typhoid carrier.
• Laboratory workers who work with Salmonella typhi bacteria.

There are two types of Vaccines:-

1. Inactivated Typhoid Vaccine-
1. Should not be given to children younger than two years.
2. Should be given at least two weeks before travel.
3. Booster dose is needed every two years for those who remain at risk.
2. Live Typhoid Vaccine(Oral)-
1. Should not be given to children below six years of age
2. Four doses with two days apart. Last dose should be at least one week before travel.
3. Booster dose every five years.

Ayurvedic Treatment

Following ayurvedic medicines are recommended for treatment of typhoid-

• First Week

MrigShringa Bhasma(125 mg), Thrice daily with water.

Muktashukti Bhasma(15 mg), Thrice daily with water.

Khub Kalan(12 gm), with 1 litre of water decoited to one-third with 10 gm of dry grapes.

• Second Week

Kasturi Bhairavi Rasa(120 mg), Thrice every day with honey.

Mukta Shukti Bhasma(10 mg), Thrice every day with honey.

Saubhagya Vati(120 mg), Thrice daily with juice of fresh ginger.

Jwararyabhra(240 mg), thrice daily with juice of fresh ginger.

• Third Week

Pravala Bhasma(120 mg), Twice a day with honey.

Amrita Sattva(120 mg), Twice a day with honey.

Vasanta Malati Rasa(120 mg), twice a day with honey.

Sarva Jwara Lauha(240 mg), 3 hours after above.

Pippali(240 mg), 3 hours after above.

• Fourth Week

Navayasa Choorma(2.5 mg), Twice daily with honey.

Sitopaladi Choorma(1.5 mg), Twice daily with honey.

Vasanta Malati Rasa(120 mg), Twice daily with honey.

Lauhadava(10 ml), after lunch and dinner with equal quantities of water.

Vish Mushtayasava(5 ml), after lunch and dinner with equal quantities of water.

Amrita rishta(10 ml), after lunch and dinner with equal quantities of water.

In addition, massage with Mahalakshadi oil is recommended for great relief.