Typhoid Fever: Symptoms, Treatment and Diet Plan

Salmonella typhi is the bacterium that causes typhoid fever. Although it is rare in developed countries, it remains a major health hazard in the underdeveloped world, particularly for children.

Typhoid fever is caused by contaminated food and water, as well as intimate contact with an infected individual.

Signs and symptoms generally include:

• High fever
• Headache
• Stomach Pain
• Constipation or diarrhoea

Most people with typhoid fever feel better a few days after starting antibiotics, but a small number of them can die from complications.

Typhoid vaccines are only partially effective. Vaccines are generally reserved for those who may be exposed to the disease or who travel to areas where typhoid fever is common.

What Is Typhoid Fever?

It is an infection caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi. It affects the gut and bloodstream, causing a high fever. A milder form of the illness can also be caused by a similar germ, Salmonella paratyphi.

These germs spread through contaminated water or food, often carried by infected people.

Symptoms of Typhoid Fever

Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection that spreads mainly through contaminated food and water. If not treated on time, it can become serious. Keep an eye out for these signs and symptoms of typhoid fever in the second week, as well as the early stages:

• High fever (103° - 104°F): This is the most common symptom and can last for several days.
• Headache: Many people experience frequent headaches along with fever.
• Stomach pain: Discomfort in the abdomen, sometimes leading to bloating.
• Diarrhea or constipation: Very common, varies from person to person.
• Loss of appetite and severe weight loss: A person may feel weak due to reduced food intake.
• Weakness and fatigue: Even daily activities start feeling tiring.
• Rash with flat pink spots: More visible in pale-skinned people, but can occur in others too.

The symptoms of typhoid in adults usually develop slowly over 1–2 weeks, starting with mild fever, body pain, and digestion issues. If left untreated, it can lead to severe weakness and prolonged high fever.

Symptoms of Typhoid in Women

Women may have similar symptoms, but sometimes they can mistake them for other infections. Common symptoms of typhoid in women include:

• Abdominal pain: Which might feel like menstrual cramps.
• Fluctuating fever: Not getting better with regular medicines.
• Severe weakness: Making daily work difficult.

Some people may not show any signs or symptoms but can still spread the infection, such people are known as carriers.

5 Stages of Typhoid Fever

Incubation Period

• Duration: 1 to 3 weeks.
• Description: The Salmonella Typhi bacteria multiply without causing symptoms.

Initial Symptoms

• Duration: Few days.
• Description: Mild symptoms like low-grade fever, headache, fatigue, and malaise appear.

Progressive Symptoms

• Duration: About a week.
• Description: Symptoms intensify, including high fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, and rose-colored spots.

Severe Illness

• Duration: 1-2 weeks.
• Description: Critical symptoms such as persistent high fever, severe abdominal pain, and risk of complications occur.

Recovery or Complications

• Duration: Several weeks for recovery.
• Description: With treatment, symptoms improve; untreated cases can lead to severe complications.

Typhoid Fever Causes

• Contaminated Food and Water: Ingesting food or water that has been tainted with Salmonella Typhi.
• Person-to-Person Transmission: Direct interaction with an infected person, particularly in unhygienic environments.
• Improper Food Handling: Food that is prepared by carriers who fail to maintain adequate hand hygiene.
• Travelling to High-Risk Areas: Traveling to locations with inadequate sanitation and hygiene practices heightens the risk of exposure.
• Compromised Immune System: Those with weakened immune systems are at a greater risk of contracting the infection.

How does Typhoid Fever Spread?

• It spreads when you eat or drink something contaminated with germs from poop or pee.
• Dirty water or food contaminated with sewage can carry these germs and make you sick.
• In areas with poor sanitation and among people who don't wash their hands well, the germs spread easily through contaminated water and food, causing it.
• In cities, it often happens when people who carry the germs handle food without washing their hands properly.

How to Diagnose Typhoid Fever?

When you are affected by typhoid fever, your healthcare provider will perform a complete physical examination to detect the symptoms of it, and based on that, the necessary clinical tests for typhoid fever will be recommended.

In addition, your doctor will take a detailed trip, as well as medical history, to assess your exposure to it.

• Tests to be recommended for typhoid fever: If you have the disease, your complete blood count will show an increase in the white blood cell (WBC) count.
• ELISA: A recent diagnostic test, the ELISA urine test, was done to detect the bacteria that caused the disease.
• Fluorescent Antibody Study: In this study, any substance that is specific to the bacteria is looked for.
• Platelet Count: The platelet count for the person affected by the disease is usually low.
• Stool Culture: This is done to determine the presence of the bacteria in the stool.

How to Cure Typhoid Fever?

For treating typhoid fever, the main method is to use antibiotics to target the bacteria causing the infection. If you are wondering how to cure typhoid fever, it’s very important to get medical help as soon as possible for effective treatment. Along with the antibiotics, other important parts of typhoid fever treatment include:

• Fluid replacement: This is crucial because typhoid fever causes fever and diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration. You may need to take oral rehydration solutions or even intravenous fluids in severe cases.
• Small, frequent, and high-calorie meals: During recovery, it’s necessary to consume energy-rich food in small portions. Typhoid fever treatment and food should focus on providing proper nutrition to support the healing process.
• Blood replacement: In serious situations, if there is bleeding in the stool (faeces), blood transfusion may be needed to restore the blood levels.

Also, keep an eye on the WBC count in typhoid. An elevated white blood cell count suggests that the body is still fighting the infection, and doctors use it to adjust treatment plans accordingly.

Typhoid recovery time can vary, depending on how severe the infection is and how quickly the treatment begins. But with proper care, most people start feeling better within 1-2 weeks.

How can you Protect Yourself from Typhoid Fever?

• Wash your hands with soap FIRST for at least 20 seconds.
• Buy bottled water, but if you use tap water, let it boil for 1 minute before drinking. Bottled sparkling water is safer than still water.
• Order drinks without ice unless the ice is made from bottled or boiled water. Avoid popsicles and flavoured ice creams that may have been made with contaminated water.
• Eat foods that are well cooked and that are still hot and steaming.
• Avoid raw fruits and vegetables that can't be peeled. Vegetables like lettuce are easily contaminated and very difficult to wash well.
• Fruits and vegetables that can be peeled are safer than those that cannot be peeled. Peel them yourself, and don't eat the peels.
• Avoid food and drink from street vendors. It is difficult to keep clean food on the street, and many travellers get sick from food bought from street vendors.
• Remember this tip when travelling to avoid typhoid fever:"Boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it.

Complications of Typhoid Fever

Possible complications that can result when the person is diagnosed with typhoid fever:

• Kidney failure
• Severe gastrointestinal bleeding
• Intestinal perforation
• Peritonitis

Best Food for Typhoid Fever

Having a proper typhoid diet chart is very important for recovery. One should start with a liquid diet and slowly move to normal food as per the body's tolerance. A good diet helps in faster healing and brings back energy. Typhoid fever treatment and food go hand in hand, so eating the right foods is essential.

What to Eat in Typhoid?

Keeping the body hydrated is most important. Drink plenty of fluids like:

• Tender coconut water
• Barley water
• Electrolyte-fortified water
• Fresh fruit juice
• Vegetable soup
• Buttermilk
• Normal water

These help in maintaining the body's water levels and recovering faster.

Typhoid Food to Eat in Different Phases

First Few Days (Liquid Diet):

During the initial days, the body may not be able to digest heavy food. So, start with liquids like:

• Fresh fruit juices (avoid citrus if uncomfortable)
• Clear vegetable soups
• Coconut water
• Barley water

Avoid solid foods unless the person is feeling very hungry.

As Appetite Improves (Semisolid Diet):

Once the person starts feeling better, introduce light and soft foods like:

• Boiled rice
• Baked potatoes
• Boiled or poached eggs
• Baked apple
• Curd (yogurt)
• Light vegetable soups

These foods are easy to digest and give strength.

Recovery Phase (Soft & Light Solid Diet):

When the person is feeling normal, they can start having a nutrient-rich diet for typhoid patients, including:

• Soft fruits like banana, watermelon, muskmelon, grapes, peach, apricot
• Boiled vegetables
• Whole grains like unpolished rice and white bread
• Light and easily digestible proteins like lentils, legumes, and paneer (cottage cheese)

A typhoid fever recovery diet plan should definitely have curd and eggs, as they are lighter on the stomach compared to meat but still give enough protein. For vegetarians, lentils, legumes, and paneer are the best options for protein intake.

By following a simple and healthy typhoid diet chart, one can recover quickly and regain strength without any complications.

Foods to Avoid During Typhoid Fever

Dietary precautions during typhoid fever treatment ensure that the disease does not become severe and help relieve the discomfort of it.

• Avoid foods rich in fibre during typhoid fever: the intake of whole grains and their products, such as oatmeal, whole wheat bread, and raw vegetables in the form of salads, are rich in fibre. It can increase the stress on your digestive system.
• Avoid vegetables like cabbage, bell peppers, and turnips, as they can cause bloating and gas during it.
• To prevent the digestive tract from becoming more inflamed, avoid fatty foods, spices, and condiments such as cayenne and chilli powder.

Frequently Asked Questions