Typhoid Fever – Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis
Recent Health and Travel Information
Doctors often begin by asking about recent trips, especially to areas where typhoid fever is common. They also discuss health symptoms like prolonged high fever, stomach pain, diarrhea, rash, or loss of appetite.
This helps identify if there might be a risk of a bacterial infection like typhoid or paratyphoid fever.
-
Checklist for doctors:
- Patient’s symptoms
- Length of illness
- Travel to countries with reported cases
Testing Body Fluids or Tissues
To confirm infection, doctors collect small samples from the patient’s blood, stool, urine, or sometimes bone marrow. Lab staff keep these samples in conditions that help bacteria grow.
After a few days, laboratory technicians check them under a microscope for signs of Salmonella typhi or Salmonella paratyphi. A bone marrow test usually gives the most reliable result.
Other lab tests, such as those looking for typhoid DNA or certain antibodies, may also be used if needed.
Table: Common Samples Used for Diagnosis
| Sample Type | Sensitivity |
|---|---|
| Blood | Moderate |
| Stool | Moderate |
| Urine | Lower |
| Bone Marrow | Highest |
Treatment
Frequently Used Antibiotic Medications
Doctors use antibiotics to fight typhoid fever. The type of medicine often depends on where the infection was caught, as bacteria can have different resistance levels. Some key antibiotics include:
- Fluoroquinolones: These drugs are usually one of the first options. They stop the bacteria from multiplying. However, some forms of Salmonella Typhi are becoming resistant to this group.
- Cephalosporins: This group is helpful if the bacteria are not responding to other drugs. Cephalosporins interfere with bacteria building their protective walls.
- Macrolides: This option can work if the infection does not respond to other antibiotics. It stops bacteria from making the proteins they need to grow.
- Carbapenems: Used less often, these drugs are considered when the illness is severe and other antibiotic choices do not work. They block another part of the cell wall-making process.
Doctors always consider possible side effects or allergies. Dosage is based on age, health, drug type, and drug resistance in the area.
Additional Types of Supportive Care
Other steps often help along with antibiotics. Staying hydrated is important because typhoid can cause long-lasting fever and diarrhea. People may need fluids through an IV if dehydration is severe.
Rarely, typhoid can damage the intestines. In this case, surgeons may need to operate to fix the problem.
Vaccines help prevent typhoid but do not treat someone who is already sick. Researchers continue to work on addressing antimicrobial resistance and improving future treatment options.
Getting Ready for Your Visit
Details to Collect Beforehand
Making the most of a doctor’s appointment starts with careful preparation. Before heading to your visit, people should:
- Ask About Restrictions: Some health care offices may have special instructions, such as avoiding food or drink before any tests. It’s smart to ask if there are activities or foods to avoid beforehand.
- Review Recent Symptoms: Write down when symptoms started, how severe they are, and if they have changed over time. Noting if there are new or worsening signs can help the provider understand the illness better.
- Track Travel and Contacts: List countries visited, especially areas with limited sanitation or a known risk for typhoid. Note if there’s been possible exposure to unsafe food or water. Mention if close contacts have gotten sick.
- List All Medicines and Health Details: Include prescribed drugs, non-prescription medicines, supplements, and vitamins. Note any current or past illnesses, allergies, or health problems, plus any typhoid or travel vaccine history.
- Prepare Questions: Writing down questions helps ensure all concerns are covered. Good questions might involve testing, possible causes, treatment steps, complications, when it’s safe to return to school or work, and how to prevent spreading the illness.
Sample Questions to Ask the Provider
| Topic | Example Question |
|---|---|
| Causes | What could be causing these symptoms? |
| Tests | What kinds of tests are needed? |
| Treatment Options | What treatments are available to help me get better? |
| Managing Other Health Issues | How can I handle my other conditions while I’m sick? |
| Recovery Timeline | How long is recovery likely to take? |
| Returning to Daily Life | When can I go back to work or school? |
| Long-term Risks | Am I at risk for any lasting problems from typhoid fever? |
Practicing good hand hygiene and using only safe, clean water helps prevent future infections. Avoiding contaminated food and following sanitation advice also protects against typhoid.
How Your Health Provider Will Assess You
During the appointment, the provider typically asks about:
- All current symptoms, when they started, and how they’ve changed.
- Any episodes where symptoms improved briefly but returned.
- Recent international travel, including where and when.
- Updates on whether vaccines were received before traveling.
- Details on medical conditions or current treatments.
- A full list of medicines being taken.
The provider may order a blood test for diagnosis.
The provider may also offer advice on how to lower the chances of spreading the illness to others, like keeping up with careful hand washing, staying away from preparing food for others, and using only treated water.
Being honest and specific with answers helps the provider choose the right tests and care plan.
