Typhoid fever is a disease caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi. It is also known as enteric fever. It is usually spread through contaminated food and water, and is particularly endemic where sanitary practices are poor. It can also be passed from one person to another. The disease manifests mainly with gastrointestinal symptoms. However, serious and life-threatening complications can occur if untreated. In this article, we look at the risk factors, symptoms and prevention of typhoid fever.

Risk Factors

Typhoid fever rarely occur when water is treated to kill germs and is safe for drinking and where human waste is properly disposed. However, the following risk factors can increase the risk of infection with the disease:

• 1. Close contact with someone who is infected or has recently been infected with typhoid fever
• 2. Recent travel to a typhoid-endemic area
• 3. Poor food hygiene
• 4. Extremes of ages
• 5. Improper sewage disposal

Symptoms

The symptoms of typhoid fever begin to manifest about 2 weeks after infection with the bacteria. The symptoms of infection with salmonella typhi include:

• 1. Fever
• 2. Headache
• 3. Fatigue
• 4. Vomiting
• 5. Abdominal pain
• 6. Loss of appetite
• 7. Constipation or Diarrhea
• 8. Rash usually on the chest and stomach

However, it is possible for an individual to be infected but manifest no symptoms. These people are carriers, reservoir of infection, and can spread the infection to other people like in the case of typhoid Mary.

Prevention

Infection with salmonella Typhi can be prevented by:

• 1. Through and frequent hand washing especially before and after handling foods and after using the bathroom 
• 2. Proper food hygiene including washing fruits and vegetables carefully and ensuring that all foods are well cooked
• 3. Vaccination with typhoid conjugate vaccine against typhoid fever as it provides some protection. However,  it does not protect against illness but it lowers the risk
• 4. Proper sewage disposal