Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection caused by contaminated water or food. It affects the intestinal tract and then spreads to the bloodstream. It is also known as ”intestinal fever” as it mainly affects our intestines.
It is caused by the bacteria called Salmonella typhi. Poor hygienic conditions, unsafe drinking water, and contaminated food are the usual causes of typhoid. To promote quicker recovery, use home remedies with regular medication for the best results.
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| Typhoid treatment in the early stages can prevent any serious progression of the disease |
Did You Know?
To effectively combat typhoid, it is vital to diligently complete the entire antibiotic regimen as prescribed by a medical professional. Pay attention to dietary restrictions, opting for small portions of nourishing and easily digestible meals prepared with minimal oil and spices. Failure to adhere to the prescribed treatment course and dietary guidelines puts patients at risk of complications, such as intestinal perforations.
Dr. Arpit Verma, MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)
Typhoid fever may cause vomiting and diarrhoea that might lead to severe dehydration. To prevent dehydration, keep sipping on fluids. Staying hydrated also helps in the timely elimination of waste materials and toxins from the body. Apart from water, have fruit juices, coconut water, and soups.
ORS is the best solution to combat the dehydration caused by typhoid fever. Ensure that you have WHO recommended ORS. Buy sachets from any chemist or keep deliciously flavoured tetra packs at home. You can even make it at home by mixing sugar and salt in a litre of boiled water.
To combat high fever, use cold compresses to bring down the temperature. You can Sponge off armpits, feet, groin, and hands. Applying cold compresses on the extremities brings down the fever most effectively.
You can also soak a washcloth in icy water, wring out the excess water and place it on your forehead. Change the washcloth frequently.
Apple cider vinegar helps to maintain a proper pH in the body. It draws out heat from the skin and therefore, reduces the body temperature. The loss of minerals because of diarrhoea is compensated by having apple cider vinegar. Mix a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in water, add honey if needed. Drink before meals. Read more about the health benefits of apple cider vinegar
The holy basil is antibiotic and antimicrobial. Add basil to boiled water and drink three to four cups daily. Basil boosts immunity and calms the tummy. Or you can 4-5 basil/tulsi leaves to make a paste. Add pepper powder to this paste and a few strands of saffron or Kesar. Mix all these and divide them into three parts. Have this mixture after every meal. Read more on the health benefits of tulsi (Basil).
The antimicrobial properties present in the garlic help fight off typhoid bacteria. Garlic speeds up recovery from typhoid due to its antioxidative properties. It boosts immunity and detoxifies the body. Eat two cloves on an empty stomach. This is not conducive for pregnant women and children. Also, read 10 health benefits of garlic.
Bananas can bring down the fever and treat diarrhoea in people with typhoid. Bananas have pectin, a soluble fiber that helps the intestines absorb fluids, thus curing diarrhoea. Potassium in the fruit helps in replacing the electrolytes lost through loose motions. It is one of the best things to eat when having typhoid.
This is an essential ayurvedic churan that shows positive effects on fever and typhoid. It hampers the growth of Salmonella typhi. Chemists provide this in the form of powder and tablets. This is one of the best home remedies for typhoid in Ayurveda.
Cloves fight against bacteria that cause typhoid. The essential oils in cloves have antibacterial properties that can kill the bacteria that cause typhoid. It also reduces nausea and vomiting caused due to typhoid. Boil water with cloves, strain in a cup and have two cups daily.
Pomegranates are an effective home remedy against typhoid. It helps in preventing dehydration. Have it as a fruit or take out the juice.
Consult a doctor and use the home remedies as an adjunct therapy. With proper rest, light food, clean water, and patience, the patient will recover quickly.
Buttermilk is loaded with probiotics which not only improves gut health but also supports the immune system. Additionally, it helps to break proteins down which can aid in the recovery process after your fever has passed. This is one of the home remedies for typhoid that you should use towards the end of your fever.
Oranges are loaded with large amounts of vital vitamins, minerals and nutrients. This helps to replenish your body with the nutrients it needs to get through the fever and get back to normal. Additionally, it contains water which may help to reduce dehydration. Have a few slices or an entire orange if you’re able to, your body will get the vitamins it needs. It’s one of the simpler home remedies for typhoid fever and will leave you feeling refreshed.
Guava leaves may help to reduce the severity of your fever by restricting the production of mucus along the respiratory tract, throat and lungs. This cuts down on the amount of microbe growth, which can lessen your symptoms. As a bonus, guava leaves are high in iron and vitamin C, both of which your immune system needs.
1. Avoid exposure to cold weather conditions Stay in warm conditions till symptoms of typhoid completely subside. The body is still vulnerable after recovering from typhoid.
2. Hydration is a must. Stay adequately hydrated throughout the day during and after recovery from typhoid.
3. Stick to a soft diet till symptoms of the ailment completely subside. Consult a physician to know more about the diet you should follow post-remedy.
4. Do not engage in any strenuous activities after recovery. The body is still weak and needs time to get stronger over time.
5. Keep monitoring yourself and visit a physician when you feel uneasy or the symptoms of typhoid do not subside.
Must Read: Typhoid – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
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Foods that should be avoided by someone suffering from typhoid fever are raw vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, dry fruits,raw berries, pineapple, nuts like almonds, pistachios, walnuts and seeds like pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, chia seeds.
Yes. Typhoid fever is usually transmitted by eating or drinking contaminated food or beverages.
In order to prevent typhoid fever you must drink clean water, keep your surroundings clean and practise good hygiene like wash your hands frequently, use alcohol-based sanitizers, avoid drinking untreated water, clean raw fruits and vegetables, eat hot foods and get vaccinated.
With proper treatment, the symptoms of typhoid fever should improve within 3-5 days. If typhoid fever isn’t treated, it will get worse and there is a significant risk of life-threatening complications developing.
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Typhoid is an infectious disease that is caused by Salmonella bacteria and is an extremely prevalent malady during the monsoon season.
Many patients also experience nausea and an acute loss of appetite which are also quite common typhoid symptoms. However, it is extremely essential to consume small portions of food at regular intervals to give the body some much-needed strength and energy. Therefore, high-calorie foods for typhoid is recommended. It is important to be mindful of what to eat in typhoid for fast recovery.
| Cause | It is caused by the Salmonella typhi bacteria through contaminated food or water. |
| Who | Typically people who do not maintain good hygiene (especially during food preparation/consumption) are highly susceptible to this bacteria. |
| Treatment | Antibiotic tablet medication for 7-14 days, for severe cases, intravenous injection of antibiotics may also be done in the hospital. Complications may arise for untreated typhoid infection such as long term typhoid, relapse and internal bleeding. |
| Diagnosis | If you have a fever that continues to get higher each day and/or you have travelled to a place where typhoid is common then your doctor may request blood, stool or urine samples to be sent for a lab test. This will show whether the bacteria is present in your body. A bone marrow test may also be requested since this is more accurate. |
Did You Know?
So, what kind of diet should a typhoid patient adhere to? Let’s learn more about foods good for typhoid patients below:
I strongly recommend watching what you eat. Typhoid fever may be brought on by overripe pineapple because of the bacteria causing typhoid and Salmonella typhi prefers the over-ripe pineapple as its host for survival.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, MD
It is important to note that typhoid is a serious medical condition. Typhoid fever treatment and food go hand in hand on the road to recovery. Always inform your doctor about your symptoms and seek their professional medical advice regarding medication, and dietary changes. All the above mentioned foods are only an added help for typhoid recovery and should not be considered as a replacement for medication.
As typhoid is an enteric infection, it affects the intestine and the symptoms one experiences are related to digestion. The symptoms of typhoid fever start showing up gradually over a period of 10-14 days after exposure to the bacteria and last for about 3-4 weeks. In case your symptoms don’t improve after proper treatment and medication, consult a doctor.
Some people who are treated for typhoid fever experience a relapse. The symptoms may return around a week after the antibiotic treatment is over. You must wash the fruit and vegetables before eating, and continue to maintain good hygiene. Some people continue to harbour the bacteria even after their symptoms have gone.
If you’re recovering from typhoid fever, you must follow your doctor’s instructions and take antibiotics as prescribed, maintain good hygiene because it is a contagious illness and avoid handling food.
Also Read: White Asparagus: Nutritional Benefits and Culinary Uses Explored
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
Typhoid is a bacterial infection that is caused by the Salmonella typhi virus. Accompanied by high fever, vomiting, nausea, and diarrhoea (in some cases), this is a fatal disease that gets primarily spread through contaminated drinking water and food. Poor sanitation is also one of the biggest causes of this deadly disease.
Other serious complications include:
Many times, people carry these bacteria but do not show these symptoms. Once the symptoms become prevalent, generally a course of antibiotics is administered.
Other forms of treatment
Typhoid infection while pregnant can lead to a variety of complications including improper growth and development of the baby due to the mother’s weakness and inability to receive proper nutrition as well as the risk of a miscarriage. Vaccination is the best form of protection to avoid typhoid infection.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.
Vaccination
If you haven’t contracted the S.typhi virus, typhoid vaccination against this infection is generally prescribed. Doctors make a prescription to:
This two forms in which the prescription is made is as follows:
However, if you are already ill, the vaccine does no good.
Younger children also cannot be administered the vaccine. In some cases, the vaccination shows adverse side-effects such as gastrointestinal problems, headache, and nausea. So, they should be taken under full medical supervision.
Typhoid fever is an illness you get from S. Typhi bacterium. It causes a high fever, flu-like symptoms and diarrhea. You can be contagious with typhoid even if you don’t feel sick. Typhoid can be life-threatening and should be treated promptly with antibiotics.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
Avoiding the infection
Some golden rules to follow to keep this infection at bay include:
Practice good hygiene
