Related articles: Typhus
Definition
Typhoid (or typhoid fever) is a systemic disease caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi . The micro-organism - present in the urine and faeces of asymptomatic carriers and subjects with active disease - can be transmitted from one person to another by direct contact (via faecal-oral) or through the ingestion of water and contaminated foods.
Typhoid fever is very contagious and poor sanitary conditions predispose it to spread. Not surprisingly, in endemic areas, typhus is transmitted mainly due to limited access to drinking water and inadequate disposal of waste water. The incubation period is usually 8-14 days.
Most common symptoms and signs *
- Adynamia
- Anemia
- Anorexia
- Asthenia
- bradycardia
- Chills
- Cachexia
- Diarrhea
- Mood disorders
- Dysuria
- Abdominal pain
- Articolar pains
- Muscle pains
- Gastrointestinal hemorrhage
- Hepatitis
- Rash
- Pharyngitis
- Temperature
- Abdominal swelling
- Leukopenia
- Thinness
- Headache
- meningism
- Weight loss
- thrombocytopenia
- Nosebleeds
- Blood in the stool
- Nephritic syndrome
- splenomegaly
- Confusional state
- Constipation
- Cough
- Articular Pouring
- He retched
Further indications
After a person has been infected, the bacteria rapidly multiply in the intestine and bloodstream. The onset of symptoms is gradual, with high fever (39-40 ° C), headache, abdominal pain, joint and muscle pain, pharyngitis, constipation, lack of appetite and general malaise.
Less frequent symptoms include dysuria, cough and epistaxis. In some cases, blotches of pink color appear on the skin of the abdomen and thorax, which disappear under pressure and resolve in 2-5 days. When typhus progresses, the risk of developing complications increases. In the late phase of the disease, attacks of malodorous, watery and yellow-green diarrhea can occur. Moreover, feces can contain blood.
In case of typhoid fever, splenomegaly, leukopenia, anemia, altered liver function tests, proteinuria and mild coagulopathy may be found. Acute cholecystitis, hepatitis and pneumonia can also occur. In the most serious cases, symptoms of the central nervous system are present, such as a serious confusion and, in some cases, psychosis (the person is not able to understand the difference between reality and fantasy). The diagnosis is clinical and confirmed by culture tests of blood, faeces and urine. Typhoid fever may resemble malaria in its early stages.
Typhus can be treated with antibiotics (ceftriaxone or ciprofloxacin). Alternative therapies depend on in vitro sensitivity tests. With treatment, symptoms should improve rapidly within 3-5 days. Without a timely intervention, on the other hand, bacteria can spread to other parts of the body, causing symptoms to worsen and serious complications (internal bleeding, intestinal perforation or peritonitis). Furthermore, typhoid can recur.
The recovery period can last several months. A vaccine is available and recommended for those who handle water and potentially contaminated food in high-risk areas.
