Definition:
Typhoid fever, also known as enteric fever, bilious fever or Yellow Jack, is a bacterial infection characterized by diarrhea, systemic disease, and a rash.
Diagnosis:
A complete blood count can tell whether there is an elevated white blood cell count in the blood. A blood culture may also be preformed during the first week of the. Other tests include stool culture, and ELISA test on the urine and using a fluorescent antibody to study the symptoms.
Treatment:
Intravenous fluids and electrolytes may be given to patients as well as appropriate antibiotics to kill the bacteria. Throughout the world, there is an increasing resistance to antibiotics and with that, choosing the appropriate antibiotic should be carefully done.
Symptoms and Signs:
Typhoid fever is characterized by a sustained fever as high as 40°C (104°F), profuse sweating, gastroenteritis, and non-bloody diarrhea. Less commonly a rash of flat, rose-colored spots may appear. Other symptoms include fatigue, weakness, delirium, chills, bloody stools, and abdominal tenderness.
Causes:
The illness is caused by the bacterium Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi. The bacteria spread from the intestine via the bloodstream to the lymph nodes, live, and spleen following ingestion. Some people can become carriers of the bacterium and continue to shed the bacteria in their feces for years.
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