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What is Typhoid?

Typhoid fever is a serious bacterial infection caused by Salmonella Typhi. It spreads through contaminated food and water and commonly affects people in areas with poor sanitation. Symptoms typically include prolonged high fever, abdominal pain, weakness, and digestive disturbances. Without prompt antibiotic treatment, typhoid can lead to potentially life-threatening complications.

Causes of Typhoid

Typhoid is caused by salmonella enteric serotype typhi. Other factors that cause typhoid:

• People pick up bacteria most often in places where outbreaks are common
• Bacteria passes out of infected person's body in stool and urine
• It can spread on food that isn’t cooked, such as raw fruits without peel
• You can pick up bacteria from an untreated water source
• Typhoid carriers - even after antibiotic treatment, some people who recover from typhoid still have the bacteria living in their bodies. These people no longer have symptoms but they still shed bacteria in their stools and spread it.

How Does Typhoid Spread? 

Typhoid fever spreads through the faecal–oral route, meaning the bacteria are passed in the stool or urine of an infected person and transmitted to others through contaminated food or drinking water. The infection is caused by Salmonella Typhi, which can survive in water supplies and improperly handled food.

Transmission commonly occurs in areas with poor sanitation, inadequate sewage systems, and unsafe drinking water. Individuals may also contract typhoid by consuming raw fruits and vegetables washed in contaminated water or through close household contact with a chronic carrier. In rare cases, asymptomatic carriers continue to shed bacteria even after recovery, contributing to ongoing transmission.

Early and Late Symptoms of Typhoid Fever

The symptoms of typhoid fever usually develop gradually over one to two weeks after exposure to the bacteria. Recognising early signs can significantly reduce the risk of serious complications.

Early Symptoms of Typhoid

• Persistent high fever (often rising gradually)
• Fatigue and weakness
• Headache
• Abdominal discomfort
• Loss of appetite
• Dry cough

Late or Severe Symptoms

• Severe abdominal pain
  
  
• Diarrhoea or constipation
• Enlarged spleen or liver
• Confusion or delirium
• Intestinal bleeding or perforation (in advanced cases)

If left untreated, typhoid fever can become life-threatening. Prompt medical evaluation is crucial if symptoms persist beyond a few days.

Typhoid Complications

If typhoid takes on a more severe form, complications can arise, including:

• Damage to intestines – typhoid can damage and cause bleeding in intestines
• Myocarditis – inflammation of heart muscle
• Endocarditis – inflammation of lining of heart
• Mycotic aneurysm – infection of major blood vessels
• Pneumonia
• Pancreatitis – inflammation of pancreas
• Kidney or bladder infections
• Meningitis – inflammation of membranes and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord
• Psychiatric problems such as delirium, hallucinations and paranoid psychosis

Typhoid Prevention

The best plan of action to prevent typhoid is getting the vaccination. Other precautions for preventing the spread of typhoid are:

Washing hands: frequent handwashing with hot & soapy water is the best way to control infection. Wash your hands before eating or preparing food and after using toilet. Carry alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available

Avoid using untreated water: drink only bottled water or canned or bottled carbonated beverages, wine and beer. Carbonated bottled water is safer than non-carbonated bottled water.

Avoid raw fruits and vegetables: raw produce may have been washed in contaminated water.

Consume food hot: avoid food that is stored or served at room temperature. Freshly made and steaming hot foods are less risky than uncooked foods

Typhoid Treatment in Ayurveda

Herbal Remedies

Ayurvedic herbs such as Bilwaphal, Jatamansi, Haritaki and Guduchi help reduce the symptoms of and give relief from typhoid fever.

Panchakarma Therapy

Langhana (fasting) is the main treatment for typhoid as it creates a balance between dhatus and doshas, bringing lightness to the body.

Diet Changes

Cereals like barley, porridge and old shali rice, as well as green gram, bitter gourd, grapes, pomegranate, luffa, wood apple and jevanti help in quick recovery from typhoid
Avoid eating chickpea, sesame and junk food, as well as foods that lead to poor digestion, acidity and burning sensation in the stomach

Lifestyle Modifications

• Rest well
• Do not exercise, take a bathe, sleep during the day or suppress natural urges

When Should You See a Doctor?

You should seek medical attention if you experience a persistent high fever lasting more than three to five days, particularly after travelling to a region where typhoid fever is common. Early diagnosis and antibiotic treatment are critical to prevent complications.

Urgent medical care is required if you develop:

• Severe abdominal pain
• Ongoing vomiting or dehydration
• Blood in stools
• Confusion or altered consciousness
• Signs of intestinal perforation
  
  

Delaying treatment increases the risk of serious complications such as internal bleeding or systemic infection. Anyone suspected of having typhoid should undergo prompt medical testing, including blood culture, to confirm the diagnosis.

Jiva's Evidence-Based Treatment Process

Nadi Pariksha

Starting with Nadi Pariksha, Jiva's certified Ayurvedic doctors use this traditional pulse diagnosis to detect imbalances and assess organ health, which is crucial for diagnosing Typhoid accurately.

Prakriti Analysis

Understanding your unique physical and psychological patterns allow us to tailor a Typhoid treatment plan that not only addresses symptoms but aligns with your inherent prakriti (constitution) for lasting health.

Samprapti Ghatak (Pathogenesis)

Our practitioners investigate the progression of Typhoid by examining hygiene, dietary habits, lifestyle, and mental health factors. This thorough analysis helps identify specific triggers that need to be addressed for targeted & individualized treatment.

Continuous Monitoring and Amendments

Continuous tracking of treatment effectiveness allows us to make necessary adjustments, ensuring that you achieve the best results from your personalised and Ayurvedic Treatment of Typhoid with Jiva's ongoing support.

What Our Patients Say

87% of patients rate us excellent in service.
78% of patients saw significant improvement in 3 months of treatment.
92% of patients stopped allopathic medicines completely.

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