PROTECTION AGAINST TYPHOID FEVER

By Bashar Abubakar Ngaski

U13MM1129

Typhoid fever is a serious infection that claimed many lives. The disease caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi. It is also known as enteric fever, or commonly just typhoid. It easily spreads through contaminated food and water supplies and close contact with others who are infected. The illness is characterised by very high fever, sweating, gastroenteritis, and diarrhea.

In parts of the world with poor sanitation, infected human waste can contaminate the water supply. People who drink contaminated water or eat food washed in contaminated water can develop typhoid fever. The Salmonella typhi bacteria will be in the stools of an infected person after they've been to the toilet. If they don't wash their hands properly afterwards, they can contaminate any food they touch. Anyone else who eats this food may also become infected.

Less commonly, the Salmonella typhi bacteria can be passed out in an infected person's urine. Again, if an infected person handles food without washing their hands properly after urinating, they can spread the infection to someone else who eats the contaminated food.

Other ways typhoid fever can be contracted include:

 Using a toilet contaminated with bacteria and touching your mouth before washing your hands.

 Eating seafood from a water source contaminated by infected faeces or urine.

 Eating raw vegetables that have been fertilized with human waste.

 Contaminated milk products.

Having oral or anal sex with a person who's carrier of Salmonella typhi bacteria.

In addition, life-threatening complications often develop at this time. There are two basic actions that can protect you from typhoid fever:

1. Avoid risky foods and drinks.

2. Get vaccinated against typhoid fever.

It may surprise you, but watching what you eat and drink when you travel is as important as being vaccinated. This is because the vaccines are not completely effective. Avoiding risky foods

will also help protect you from other illnesses, including diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, and hepatitis A.

Before eating or drinking; Boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it.

If you drink water, buy it bottled or bring it to a rolling boil for 1 minute before you drink it.

Bottled carbonated water is safer than un-carbonated water.

Ask for drinks without ice unless the ice is made from bottled or boiled water. Avoid popsicles and flavored ices that may have been made with contaminated water. Eat foods that have been thoroughly cooked and that are still hot and steaming.

Avoid raw vegetables and fruits that cannot be peeled. Vegetables like lettuce are easily contaminated and are very hard to wash well. When you eat raw fruit or vegetables that can be

peeled, peel them yourself. (Wash your hands with soap first.) Do not eat the peelings.

Avoid foods and beverages from street vendors. It is difficult for food to be kept clean on the street, and many travelers get sick from food bought from street vendors.