ENTERIC FEVER

Overview and Facts

Enteric fever, also known as typhoid fever, is an acute disease related to fever caused by a bacteria called Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi. It could also be due to Salmonella paratyphi, an associated bacterium that generally causes less serious disease. 

In addition, enteric fever can be acquired by eating or drinking contaminated drinks or foods that have bacteria on them. Individuals with an acute disease can infect the nearby water supply via feces, which has a greater concentration of bacteria. 

The contamination in the water source could, in turn, contaminate the food source. Moreover, the bacteria can persist or survive for more weeks in dried sewage and water.

Types and Symptoms

SYMPTOMS

The incubation period of enteric fever is typically one to two weeks, and its time scale is about three to four weeks. Furthermore, people with enteric fever may have the following symptoms:

  • Headaches
  • Lethargy
  • Poor appetite
  • Diarrhea
  • Generalized pain and aches
  • Fever (40°C and above)
  • Abdominal pain
  • Chest congestion

People with this illness may have a constant fever. Any improvement may transpire in the 3rd or 4rth week in those who don’t have complications.

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

In diagnosing enteric fever, doctors ask you about what symptoms you are experiencing and when your fever ignited. Afterward, he/she may request a stool test to identify the bacteria that is causing the condition. If the result is not clear enough, a urine or blood test will be done to make a clear diagnosis.

Thus, if you or any of your family members have any symptoms similar to enteric fever, don’t hesitate to seek immediate medical help to give you a proper diagnosis and treatment. 

TREATMENT

Enteric fever is treated with medications such as antibiotics to kill and wipe out the Salmonella bacteria. Before the utilization of antibiotics, the mortality rate was at 25%. The death happened from overwhelming pneumonia, intestinal perforation, infection, or intestinal bleeding. 

With proper care and antibiotics, the fatality has been decreased to one to two percent. Hence, if you undergo proper therapy, there is a high chance of improvement within two to three days and recovery within ten days. 

Lots of antibiotics are effective in treating enteric fever. However, chloramphenicol was the first option for decades. Due to serious side effects, it has been changed with other effective antibiotics. Moreover, those who are chronically sick can be cured with long-term antibiotics.

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