How to Identify Symptoms of Typhoid Fever

Typhoid fever is a health condition caused by a bacterium called Salmonella typhi. Once this microorganism infects an individual, it settles into the blood and intestines which will then be excreted through urine and fecal matter. The bacteria can be passed on to other people through contaminated food and water or failure to wash hands after using the public toilet. When bacteria invade the body, it takes about 1 to 2 weeks before symptoms set in and the duration of the illness lasts for up to 6 weeks. But patients may recover within a few days if antibiotics are administered immediately at the onset of symptoms. In rare cases of severe infections, serious complications may develop such as pneumonia and intestinal bleeding, which can lead to death.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Get the thermometer and take your temperature. It is typical for individuals infected with Salmonella typhi to experience fever as high as 104 degrees F (40 degrees C). Such temperature remains persistently high as the illness progresses. And aside from feeling generally ill, the fever is also associated with chills, extreme fatigue and slow heartbeat (bradycardia).

2. Observe if you ever feel any pain. Generalized aches and pains are part of typhoid symptoms. The person may experience discomforting headaches and joint pains during the course of the illness. Abdominal pain may also be present along with tenderness around the area.

3. Note if there are any changes in your bowel movement. Infected individuals may suffer from either diarrhea or constipation as part typhoid symptoms. Children often suffer from diarrhea; while adults are most often constipated. Blood in the stool may also be observed in some cases.

4. Inspect your skin for rashes. In some typhoid cases, infected individuals may develop clusters of small, flat and pink spots on the skin--which is primarily situated around the area of the chest and the abdomen. These spots or rashes are also termed as rose spots which usually appear during the second week of the course of the illness.

5. Notice some changes in your appetite. People suffering from typhoid fever may have poor appetite; which will then be followed by considerable weight loss. If you have typhoid fever and you don't feel like eating something, do not force yourself. Just at least drink lots of water to prevent you from experiencing dehydration.

6. Monitor your mental functions. When high grade fever remains during the course of the illness, changes of the individual's mental function can be observed. The patient may become delirious, confused and may experience hallucinations as well. Attention is also impaired because the patients is usually lethargic or sluggish.

7. Try to observe your mood cycle. Patients with typhoid fever often experience malaise and uneasiness. And as a result of a generalized discomfort brought about by typhoid symptoms, the patient's mood often fluctuates--making him agitated and irritable most of the time.

8. Check for some other existing symptoms. Nose bleeds can also occur along with typhoid fever, which is often observed during the course of high grade fever. Sore throat can also take place along with a non-productive cough (cough without phlegm).

Tips & Warnings

• It is a must to treat typhoid fever at the very onset of its symptoms to prevent bacteria from spreading into the system and damaging major organs.

• When your loved one or child with typhoid fever is starting to develop chest pains and severe cough, report it to the doctor right away to prevent pneumonia from taking place.

• Antibiotic medications should be taken with accordance to the doctors' advice to effectively eliminate bacteria and avoid the occurrence of serious complications.