Facts+about+Typhoid+Fever

Brief History:
-late 19th century typhoid fever killed 65 out of every 100,000 people infected in Chicago -Vaccine developed and introduced in 1896, greatly reducing the cases of typhoid, especially in the military

= Description: = -Sometimes deadly disease contracted when samlmonella Typhi enters body and travels across blood stream -Water and food borne infection -Is under control in developed countries but is begining to develop drug resistant strands

Symptoms:
-usually appear 1 or 2 weeks after the infection but may take 3 weeks to appear -high sustained fever, often as high as 40 degrees Celsius -extreme exhaustion -stomach pains -sweating -loss of appetite -cough -bloody nose -sore throat -rash

rare conditions.... -bleeding from rectum -diarrhea

Transmission:
-usually by contaminated water or food -people who are infected excrete live bacteria in their feces and urine -people are contagious a few days before their symptoms appear -without washing their hands typhoid bacillus can be transferred to food or water then to another person

Treatment:
-antibiotic treatment -without treatment they continue to get worse and for several weeks -more than 10% of untreated people die -drops to 1% if they are treated -a small number of people who recover may have a relapse of symptoms just a few weeks later -second bout tends to be less severe than first, clears up quickly with further treatment

Prevention:
-all about avoiding contaminated water and food

guidelines:
-boil all water before drinking it or drink bottled water -peel all fruit and vegetable skins before eating -keep flies away from food -watch out for ice cubes and ice cream which can be easily contaminated -cook all food thoroughly -do not eat from street vender's

= When to get Vaccination: = -When traveling to undeveloped countries or regions (Africa, South America, ect.) -During an epidemic outbreaks

= Where are you at risk: = -Africa is known to have high cases of typhoid fever -Anywhere with poor sanitation = = = Where are you safe: = -In almost all developed countries (Canada, UK, Australia, ect.)

Age/Sex Susceptible:
-study has shown that age, sex do not statistically influence antibody to S.typhi but people who are less healthy and have little sanitation are infected first eg. pregnant women, immigrants (poor sanitation), children(immune system hasn't fully developed)