Saturday, February 25, 2012

typhoid fever

Typhoid fever is an infection that causes diarrhea and a rash -- most commonly due to a type of bacteria called Salmonella typhi (S. typhi).

from pubmed health
Causes, incidence, and risk factors

The bacteria that cause typhoid fever -- S. typhi -- spread through contaminated food, drink, or water. If you eat or drink something that is contaminated, the bacteria enter your body. They travel into your intestines, and then into your bloodstream, where they can get to your lymph nodes, gallbladder, liver, spleen, and other parts of your body.

A few people can become carriers of S. typhi and continue to release the bacteria in their stools for years, spreading the disease.

Typhoid fever is common in developing countries, but fewer than 400 cases are reported in the U.S. each year. Most cases in the U.S. are brought in from other countries where typhoid fever is common.
Early symptoms include fever, general ill-feeling, and abdominal pain. A high (typically over 103 degrees Fahrenheit) fever and severe diarrhea occur as the disease gets worse.

Some people with typhoid fever develop a rash called "rose spots," which are small red spots on the abdomen and chest.

Other symptoms that occur include:

Abdominal tenderness


Agitation


Bloody stools


Chills


Confusion


Difficulty paying attention (attention deficit)


Delirium


Fluctuating mood


Hallucinations


Nosebleeds


Severe fatigue


Slow, sluggish, lethargic feeling


Weakness




outcome becomes poor if complications develop. (& since we're dealing with the times of our ancestors, there were no antibiotics to help them)

Complications

Intestinal hemorrhage (severe GI bleeding)


Intestinal perforation


Kidney failure


Peritonitis

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