Today, the world is suffering from several crises. We can try to solve the financial crisis with materials and money. But when humans fight against health issues, the situation is critical and dealt with care. Hygiene is one of the major factors that decide the well-being of our lives. Several diseases can arise due to unhygienic conditions. One such evil to fight is the bacterial infection typhoid.
Today we are here to learn about- Typhoid Fever: How to prevent it and manage typhoid with the help of nutrition.
Typhoid fever, also known as enteric fever, is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi. It is a serious health concern worldwide, with an estimated 21 million cases and 200,000 deaths reported each year.
What is the reason for typhoid?
Typhoid is mainly caused by poor hygiene and contamination of food or water with fecal matter containing S. Typhi bacteria. It can spread from person to person through contaminated food or water sources, or through direct contact with an infected individual.
The prevalence of typhoid is particularly high in slums and rural areas of India due to inadequate sanitation systems and lack of access to clean drinking water. We should be aware of the basics of typhoid in order to prevent its spread and reduce its prevalence in India as well as other countries around the world.
Prevalence-
Typhoid is most commonly found in South Asia, Africa, and Central America, but can be contracted anywhere in the world. Those at risk of typhoid fever include travelers to endemic areas, young children, and those with weakened immune systems.
How do typhoid symptoms start?
It is important to recognize typhoid symptoms early and take preventive measures to reduce its spread. Symptoms can start with high fever, headache, nausea, loss of appetite, constipation or diarrhea, stomach pain, and fatigue. These symptoms should be addressed. Otherwise, it can further lead to complications such as meningitis and intestinal bleeding if not treated in time. Immediate medical intervention is required, consult your doctor as soon as you notice these symptoms.
In India typhoid affects more than 25 million people every year with an estimated 2 million cases leading to death annually. Vaccines are available for prevention but detection of typhoid fever early on should be done. This helps in providing proper treatment that can be administered quickly. To prevent typhoid, immunity must be built up through good hygiene practices such as washing hands before eating or drinking anything. Let us learn more about the prevention methods for typhoid.
What is the quickest way to recover from typhoid?
Diagnosis of typhoid is usually done through blood tests, stool samples, and imaging studies. Treatment of typhoid includes antibiotics, fluids for recovery, and nutritional intervention with fluids, vitamins, and minerals. Antibiotics are the most commonly used treatment for typhoid fever but they should be used judiciously to avoid antibiotic resistance. Nutritional intervention with fluids, vitamins, and minerals helps to support the body’s natural healing process and reduce the risk of complications from typhoid infection.
Fortunately, there are also several ways to prevent typhoid fever. Vaccination is the most effective method of prevention from typhoid fever. There are two types of vaccines available: the pill vaccine taken orally or a shot vaccine given by injection. While both are effective at preventing typhoid fever, it will be wise to consult a medical professional before deciding which one is best for you.
One of the basic steps in preventing typhoid is washing hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, or using an alcohol-based sanitizer. Eating cooked foods, clean and hygienic foods, pasteurized beverages, sealed packaged foods, and eating fruits without peels can prevent typhoid. It is also essential to store food properly to avoid contamination. Additionally, it is important to ensure that food preparation areas are kept clean and free from germs. Following these simple steps can help reduce the risk of contracting typhoid.
The long-term effects of typhoid include gut health issues, weakened immunity, and an increased risk of reinfection.
It is important to understand how to manage and deal with the long-term effects of typhoid in order to prevent further complications. This includes maintaining a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and regular exercise, as well as taking proper precautions against reinfection. Additionally, it is important to focus on strengthening gut health and boosting immunity in order to protect against future infections.
Keep reading! We will learn in more detail about :
How to overcome the long-term effects of typhoid?
Remember to have your antibiotics on time, and avoid food handling to prevent the spread of the infection. Take care of your hygiene even after the symptoms have subsided. Typhoid might relapse if proper care is not taken. Keep in mind to consume a balanced diet, generous amounts of vegetables, and fluids every day. Typhoid impacts the gut health, the immunity is triggered and the body is in a state of war. After fighting the disease, the body might win but there are some after-effects that need to be taken care of. The normal physiology of the body is dysregulated and coming back to normal is necessary. Some points to combat the long-term impact of typhoid.
- One must include protein-rich sources of foods in the diet- Animal and animal products- egg, chicken, and dairy products. Also, plant proteins- pulses, legumes, and soy should be consumed. Protein is necessary for healing, growth, and maintenance of health.
- Consume micronutrient-rich millets, colorful fruits, different seasonal veggies, herbs, and functional spices like turmeric, basil leaves, ginger, etc.
- During typhoid, people might lose weight, this weight needs to be regained by incorporating a healthy diet. Meanwhile, one should take care that they do not put on extra weight. Being overweight will bring new challenges and the cycle of obesity might begin. Portion control, quality eating, and mindful choices are some ways to avoid weight gain. Remember to consult a certified nutritionist to help you with weight management while consuming a nourishing diet.
Typhoid can cause severe dehydration and other health complications. We need to understand how typhoid affects the hydration of an individual and what measures can be taken to prevent dehydration.
Hydration plays a crucial role in the treatment of typhoid. When one is suffering from typhoid, it is important to ensure that they are consuming enough fluids in order to replenish the lost fluid from loose motions caused by the disease. This will help reduce the effects of dehydration and help with recovery.
By following these guidelines, patients with typhoid can get back on their feet quickly and effectively-
Typhoid reinfection can be a critical health concern, especially if it is not managed properly. It is important to ensure that you are taking enough fluids to flush out the infection and maintain good hygiene. This will help in reducing the risk of reinfection and managing the symptoms of typhoid fever. Fluid intake is essential for flushing out the infection and maintaining hydration levels. It also helps in keeping the body healthy and reduces inflammation caused by typhoid fever. Proper hygiene practices should also be followed to reduce the risk of reinfection.
- Which drink is good for typhoid? Hydration should be maintained to prevent reinfection. Coconut water, fruit juices, lime juices, and ORS can also be given. Vegetable soups, chicken soups, dals, herbal tea, water-rich fruits. These should be incorporated to keep the individuals hydrated. These will not only energy but also have functional benefits to the body. Enough of these fluids, fruits, and vegetables should be consumed in order to flush out the infection.
- Which fruit is good for typhoid? Some of the best fruits to eat while treating typhoid include apples, oranges, lemons, grapefruits, bananas, kiwis, papayas, blueberries, and strawberries. These fruits are not only immunity-boosting but also provide a colorful plate that will make you feel better during your recovery.
Importance of nutritional diet for typhoid cure
Typhoid is a deadly infection caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi and can be truly fatal if left untreated. Nutrition plays an important role in the recovery process from typhoid and proper nutritional intervention can help to improve the patient’s condition. Patients suffering from typhoid experience a low appetite, thus it becomes a difficult task to feed a person. Typhoid also impacts digestive health and choosing foods that are palatable yet nutritious becomes the priority. Some tips to tackle the low appetite in typhoid patients can be Providing nutrient-dense compactly packed small meals. Vegetable smoothies, fruit juices, and healthy beverages can be given if the person doesn’t feel like eating. In severe cases, where the patient is not eating at all, get immediate medical treatment, IV fluids, and ORS, will have to be given.
Further, here is a small guide for you or your loved ones suffering from typhoid:
Let us look at some Do’s and Don’ts of typhoid fever.
- Nutritional intervention for typhoid should involve increased calorie intake and increased energy through simple carbohydrates like fruits, soups, and properly cooked foods. This will ensure that the body gets enough energy to fight the infection and recover from it faster.
- Bananas, cooked potatoes, khichdi, and curd, are some foods that can be given. This will help in providing enough calories and also be easy on the gut.
- Typhoid leads to compromised gut health, and to better the situation, one should be given low-fiber foods that are comfortably digested by the patient. Provide foods in semi-solid form, that will ease digestion.
- Protein-rich foods should be given to speed the recovery. Dairy products, chicken soups, boiled eggs, and dals can be given.
- Anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory foods like our Indian superfoods- turmeric, citrus fruits, tomatoes, green veggies, berries, and fatty fish. These should be consumed to build immunity and subside inflammation in the body
- Good amounts of pro and prebiotics are to be given. Probiotics and prebiotics are increasingly becoming popular as natural remedies for gut dysbiosis, helping to manage a wide range of digestive issues. While probiotics introduce beneficial bacteria into the gut, prebiotics provides the food necessary to nourish them. Together they can help to restore the balance of microbiota and microbiome in the gut, aiding in healing and reducing symptoms associated with typhoid.
- By providing recipes that contain probiotic-rich foods as well as prebiotic-rich ingredients, we can ensure that our bodies have all the necessary tools to improve our gut health and heal from typhoid. Consumption of yogurt, buttermilk, and beet kanji can help in providing good probiotics to the body.
What foods should be avoided in typhoid?
- Spicy, fried foods are to be avoided when one is infected with typhoid. These foods irritate the gut lining and worsen the symptoms.
- Stale or foods in unhygienic conditions might add to the bad microbiota in the gut. Acidity, bloating, and food infections can further deteriorate the patient suffering from typhoid
- High-fiber foods like legumes, chickpeas, and beans should be avoided, as they may cause flatulence, and bloating and make it difficult for the patient to heal.
Here we are sharing a sample menu for Typhoid patients:
Typhoid fever can become a life-threatening illness if it is not diagnosed, treated, and managed on time. If you notice any unusual symptoms, book a consultation with a typhoid specialist.
How many days will it take you to recover from typhoid?
Recovery from typhoid requires a combination of antibiotics, rest, and proper nutrition. It usually takes about 7 to 14 days for the symptoms to subside completely. During this period, it is important to take bed rest and get plenty of fluids to speed up the recovery process.
The signs of recovering from typhoid include reduced fever, improved appetite, less fatigue, and increased energy levels. It is also important to watch out for any signs of complications such as abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting which may require immediate medical attention. With proper treatment and care, most people are able to make a full recovery within two weeks.
Wishing our enthusiastic readers the best of health and strength this 2023!
Write in with your queries on Thyroid and its prevention to nutritionwithvibha@gmail.com.
