Typhoid Prevention
Several reactions and side effects that may arise and be felt after typhoid vaccine, namely:
- Pain and redness or swelling around the injection area
- Nausea
- Dizzy
- Stomach ache
- Diarrhea
However, giving tifoid vaccine does not make every person vaccinated to 100 percent immune to this bacteria. The risk is still there, although the symptoms will not be as severe as those who have not been vaccinated.
Prevention Steps Besides Vaccines
Associated with Asian countries, including Indonesia, is a typhoid endemic area. The disease is common in countries with poor hygiene and sanitation. In addition to Asia, countries in South and Central America, the Middle East, and Africa are also areas with high rates of typhoid fever.Unfortunately in developing countries, the disease thrives as bacteria resistant levels rise against antibiotics to treat typhoid. This resulted in some antibiotics already unable to fight typhoid. Necessary preparation and dissemination of the list of drugs that are not effective so that patients get the right treatment.
To prevent this disease, typhoid vaccinations should be combined with improved sanitation and water supply, as well as healthy living habits. Note the following to avoid the risk of contracting typhoid:
- Wash hands before and after processing food and drink, and after passing water or cleaning dirt, for example when washing cloth diapers. Use a hand-sanitizer if there is no water to wash your hands
- If you are going to travel to a place that has a case of spreading typhus, you should make sure the water to be drunk is properly boiled first
- If you have to buy a drink, you should drink bottled water
- Minimize consumption of food sold on the roadside because it is easily exposed to bacteria
- Avoid ice cubes in your drink. Also should avoid buying and consuming ice cream sold on the roadside.
- Avoid consumption of raw fruits and vegetables, unless you peel or wash them yourself with clean water.
- Limit the consumption of culinary foods (seafood), especially those that have not been cooked.
- You should use boiled water to brush your teeth or rinse, especially if you are in a place that is not guaranteed clean water.
- Clean the toilet regularly. Avoid exchanging personal items, such as towels, bed linen, and toiletries. Wash the objects separately in warm water.
- Avoid consumption of unpasteurized milk.
- Always take antibiotics that your doctor prescribes and follow the instructions given. Antibiotic treatment should be performed until the treatment period ends to prevent drug resistance.
Typhus Symptoms
In general, the incubation period of the bacteria that cause typhoid fever (typhoid) is 7-14 days, but can also be shorter, lasting three days, or even 30 days. This is the duration between the first bacteria entering the tissues of the body until the first symptoms appear.
If not handled properly, can worsen the condition of people with typhoid fever in a few weeks. In fact, it can take up monthly before the body can fully recover coupled with increased risk of developing complications. Symptoms can also reappear due to no treatment.
In fact, if treated properly, the condition of sufferers can begin to improve within 3-5 days. The following common symptoms occur once you get infected:
- Fever can increase gradually every day in the first week. Fever usually rises at night
- Muscles hurt
- Headache
- Feeling sick or unwell
- Enlarged kidneys and liver
- Fatigue and weakness
- Sweating
- Dry cough
- Weight loss
- Stomach ache
- Loss of appetite
- Children often experience diarrhea, while adults tend to experience constipation
- A rash on the skin in the form of small spots of pink
- Dazed. Feeling not knowing where he was and what was going on around him
Typhus symptoms develop from week to week, with the following characteristics:
The first week
Initial symptoms here need to be considered, especially related to the development of patient's body temperature.
- Fever. Initially not high, then increased to 39 ° C-40 ° C. Body temperature can rise or fall in this week
- Headache
- Limp and not feeling well
- Dry cough
- Nosebleed
Second week
If not handled immediately, you will enter the second stage with symptoms:
- A persistent high fever that tends to worsen in the abdominal and chest areas
- Delirious
- Stomach ache
- Diarrhea or severe constipation
- Feces are generally greenish
- Abdomen is very bloated due to swelling of the liver and bile.
The third week
The body temperature will decrease at the end of the third week, but if not treated promptly, complications may arise at this stage, such as:
- Intestinal bleeding
- Rupture of the intestine
The fourth week:
- The temperature of the fever will decrease slowly
If not treated immediately, then there will appear other symptoms, such as delirious and lying fatigue without movement with half-closed eyes, to life-threatening complications. In some cases, symptoms can reappear two weeks after the fever subsides.
Immediately consult your doctor if you or your child has a high fever and some of the above symptoms. Remember that despite receiving a vaccine or immunization, a person is still likely to have typhus. Examination should also be done if you have a fever after visiting a place that has a case of typhus spread.
Typhus Treatment
Antibiotic therapy is the most effective way of treating typhoid and should be given as soon as possible. Your blood, stool, and urine samples will be examined in the laboratory to determine the right type of antibiotic to administer. In addition, fever-lowering drugs can also be given to lower body temperature. Typhoid treatment (tipes) can be done at the hospital, but if it is detected more quickly and the symptoms are mild, you can undergo home treatment.
Typhoid Treatment (Typhus) at the Hospital
Antibiotics in the hospital will be given in the form of injections. If necessary, fluid intake and nutrients will also be inserted into the blood vessels via an IV. You may have to follow antibiotic treatment until the test result on stool and urine is completely clean from the bacteria that cause typhoid.
Infusion is given because typhoid treatments performed in hospital are generally accompanied by continuous vomiting, severe diarrhea, and flatulence. A fluid filled infusion is provided to prevent dehydration due to diarrhea symptoms. Patients with children with typhoid fever may be recommended for hospitalization as a precautionary measure.
In a few cases, surgery may be necessary in case of life-threatening complications, such as deep bleeding or breakdown of the digestive system.
Almost all the condition of the patient gradually improved after being hospitalized for 3-5 days. The body will recover slowly even after weeks of post-infection until you are fully restored.
Typhoid Treatment (Typhus) at Home
Generally people diagnosed with typhoid in the early stages need 1-2 weeks of treatment with prescribed antibiotic tablets. Although the body will begin to improve after 2-3 days of taking antibiotics, you should not stop consumption before the antibiotic runs out. This is important to ensure that bacteria are completely lost from the body.
However, antibiotics to treat typhoid begin to cause problems in Southeast Asian countries. Some Salmonella typhi groups become resistant to antibiotics. In recent years, these bacteria have also become resistant to chloramphenicol, ampicillin and trimotheprim-silfamethoxazole antibiotics.
Immediately consult your doctor if your condition worsens while undergoing home treatment. In a small number of people, the disease may recur again. In order for the body to recover quickly and prevent the risk of typhoid coming again, make sure you follow these simple steps:
- Get enough rest
- Eat regularly. You can eat as often as possible in small amounts than if you eat three large meals a day
- Drink lots of water
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and warm water to reduce the risk of spreading the infection
Bacteria Staying in the Body
Some people who have recovered have no symptoms of typhoid, but they can still have Salmonella typhi bacteria in their intestinal tract for years. Approximately 5 percent of people with typhoid who do not undergo adequate treatment but then recover, will continue to carry this bacteria in the body. Without their awareness, these carriers can make others infected through their stools.
Generally these people can also get back to work or school. But some professions need special attention. They are advised to ensure that the body no longer has Salmonella typhi bacteria before returning to daily activities. This risky profession, among others:
- People whose work is related to food preparation and preparation
- Nurses who often face or care for people who are sick
- Elderly toddler or elderly nurse
Additional Treatment When Typhus Relapse
Some people experience typhoid symptoms that recur a week after antibiotic treatment is completed. Usually doctors will re-prescribe antibiotics despite the symptoms that are felt not as severe as before.
If after undergoing treatment the results of stool tests found that you are still suffering from Salmonella typhi bacteria, you may be advised to undergo 28 days of antibiotic treatment again to clean up the remnants of bacteria. This is to reduce your potential to be a long-term carrier of Typhus bacteria.
As long as you are still diagnosed with infection, you should avoid food-processing activities. Also make sure you wash your hands after a bowel movement.