Typhoid fever is a very common bacterial disease in non-industrialized countries in Africa, Latin America, Eastern Europe and Asia (with the exception of Japan). It is transmitted through poor hygiene in the handling of food and water and due to the lack of basic sanitation. People usually get it from eating food or water contaminated with infected feces. If you have been diagnosed with typhoid fever, follow a few steps below to learn how to fight it.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Recovering with Medicines
Step 1. Take antibiotics
During diagnosis, the doctor must find out how far the disease has progressed. In the early stages, the most common treatment is the use of antibiotics for a week or two. Some bacteria that cause fever are resistant to the use of some antibiotics: the doctor should perform laboratory tests to determine the best treatment for the strain of bacteria contracted.
- The type of antibiotic will depend on where you got the disease and whether or not you got it before. The most common antibiotics include Amoxicillin, Ciprofloxacin, Ampicillin and Azithromycin.
- Your doctor may also prescribe Cefotaxime or Ceftriaxone for 10 to 14 days.
Step 2. Take medications as instructed by your doctor
As much as symptoms usually go away in a few days, it is vitally important to complete your antibiotic treatment, as stopping it too soon increases the chances that the disease will return or that you will pass it on to others.
After using the antibiotics, check back with your doctor to see if you are free of the disease
Step 3. Get a hospital treatment
Severe cases of typhoid fever require hospital admission. Watch out for severe symptoms such as stomach bloating, severe diarrhea, fever of 40°C or more, and persistent vomiting. In the hospital, you are likely to receive an intravenous antibiotic treatment.
- If you experience any of the above symptoms, see a doctor immediately.
- You must also receive fluids and nutrients via an intravenous injection.
- Most people improve within three to five days after admission, but you may need to spend a few more weeks of observation if the illness was severe or you have other complications.
Step 4. Perform surgery as needed
If you have been diagnosed with severe typhoid fever, complications may arise, such as intestinal bleeding or a ruptured digestive tract. In these cases, surgery is probably needed.
This is very rare in patients treated with antibiotics
Method 2 of 3: Recovering with Natural Therapies
Step 1. Always take prescribed medication
Natural remedies should be used in conjunction with antibiotics, as they do not cure the disease, they only alleviate its symptoms such as fever and nausea. Natural remedies should make you feel better about using antibiotics to fight the disease, not a replacement.
Check with your doctor about natural treatments to ensure they do not interfere with the antibiotic you are taking. Always consult a physician before using these treatments with children or pregnant women
Step 2. Stay hydrated
It is important to drink liquid myths when you suffer from typhoid fever: drink at least 2 liters of water a day and supplement your consumption with juice, coconut water and other moisturizing drinks. Dehydration usually occurs due to diarrhea and high fever, two very common symptoms of typhoid fever.
In severe cases, intravenous fluid administration is recommended
Step 3. Maintain a healthy diet to make up for the nutritional deficiencies of typhoid fever
Pay close attention to what you eat to maintain a nutritious, calorie-rich diet. The high consumption of carbohydrates will help to replenish energy, especially when divided into small meals spread throughout the day. If you have gastrointestinal problems, eat only foods that are easy to consume such as soups, biscuits, toast, puddings and gelatin.
- Eat bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. These four types of foods are gentle on the stomach and help control nausea and diarrhea.
- Drink lots of natural fruit juices (processed ones are usually too sugary, which can make diarrhea worse) with barley water, coconut water, or rice porridge.
- Fish, delicacies and eggs are good sources of protein for people who do not have gastrointestinal complications.
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to keep your vitamin levels high.
Step 4. Drink honey and water
A tea with water and honey is great for controlling the symptoms of typhoid fever: add 1 or 2 tablespoons of honey to 1 cup of warm water and mix well. This drink is great for digestive problems as honey relieves intestinal irritation and protects the tissues of the digestive tract.
- The combination of honey and water creates a natural energy drink.
- Never give honey to a child under the age of one.
Step 5. Drink clove tea
This is an extremely beneficial drink for recovery from typhoid fever symptoms. Add 5 cloves to 2 liters of boiling water and continue boiling until half of the liquid has evaporated. Turn off the heat and let the cloves soak in the water for a while longer.
- Filter the cloves when the water has cooled. Drink tea daily to relieve symptoms of nausea.
- You can also add 1 or 2 tablespoons of honey to the tea to add flavor and other beneficial qualities.
Step 6. Combine several ground spices into one tablet
Mix 7 saffron strands, 4 basil leaves and 7 black peppers in a small container. Grind them to a fine mixture and, while stirring, add small amounts of water to a paste. Divide the paste into tablet-like portions.
- Take one tablet twice a day with a glass of water.
- This mixture has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, helping to control digestive problems caused by typhoid fever.
Step 7. Use the echinacea
Echinacea, found in the form of flowers, roots, or powder, is great for boosting the immune system to fight bacterial infections, as well as strengthening body tissues. Boil 1 teaspoon of Echinacea (powder or root) in 230 ml of water for ten minutes. [Image:Recover from Typhoid Fever Step 6 Version 2.jpg|center]
Drink the tea two or three times a day for up to two weeks
Step 8. Make a carrot soup with black pepper to fight diarrhea
Boil 6 to 8 pieces of carrot in 230 ml of water for ten minutes. Filter the carrot pieces and add some black pepper guineas to the water. Drink the mixture whenever the diarrhea is strong.
Add more or less pepper depending on your taste
Step 9. Drink some apple and ginger juice
Dehydration is a very common side effect of typhoid fever: to fight it, you can make a mixture that hydrates you and provides electrolytes and natural minerals. Mix 1 tablespoon of ginger juice with 230 ml of apple juice and drink a few times a day.
The juice also helps with liver problems resulting from the elimination of toxins from your body
Step 10. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with a dose of water on the first day of symptoms
Drink the mixture every 15 minutes for an hour or two if symptoms are very severe. Continue drinking before meals for five days.
Add a little honey to alleviate the strong taste
Method 3 of 3: Preventing Typhoid Fever in the Future
Step 1. Get vaccinated
There are two types of vaccines for typhoid fever: an injectable vaccine with Vi polysaccharide and an oral vaccine containing bacteria from the Ty21a strain. The injectable vaccine is given as a single dose of 0.5 ml in the arm and thigh. The oral vaccine is given as four doses spaced two days apart.
- The injectable vaccine is given to children over the age of two and adults. Revaccination is performed every five years.
- The oral vaccine must be given at least 24 hours after the end of treatment with oral antibiotics and on an empty stomach so that it is not destroyed by the medications. It can be given to children over the age of six and adults.
- Complete preventive treatment with vaccines at least one week before travelling. Vaccines are effective for individuals who have or have not suffered from typhoid fever and need to be re-administered over a period of two to five years. Ask your doctor how long the vaccine you received will work.
Step 2. Only consume treated water
Untreated water is the main method of transmission of typhoid fever. You should only drink certain types of water when visiting or living in non-industrialized countries. Only consume bottled water from a reputable source. Never ask for ice unless you are sure it was made with drinking or bottled water.
- Also avoid popsicles and frozen desserts unless you know they are made with drinking water.
- Sparkling water is usually even safer than regular bottled water.
Step 3. Treat water from questionable sources
If you can't find bottled mineral water, you can treat the questionable water found by boiling it for at least a minute. Avoid drinking water from rivers, lakes and other bodies of water.
- If you can't boil it, add chlorine tablets to the water.
- If you live in a place with untreated water, install a sanitation system in your home and community. Buy some clean, insulated, covered containers to store the water.
Step 4. Eat only safe foods
In addition to water, food can also transmit typhoid fever. When visiting some countries, always cook vegetables, fish and red meat. Wash food in clean water before cooking, and if you are going to eat it raw, at least soak it in hot water. Peel the vegetables after washing them and do not eat the skins as they may contain contaminants. If possible, avoid eating fruits and vegetables that cannot be peeled.
- Have some clean food storage containers and store them away from contaminated areas such as toilets, garbage and sewers. Do not store cooked food for a long time in the refrigerator. Discard them after two days or more of cold storage.
- Avoid buying street food when traveling in countries where typhoid fever is common.
Step 5. Practice good environmental sanitation
If you live in a place that is home to typhoid fever, clean your surroundings. Dispose of rotting food in proper waste and repair faulty pipes and sewers to prevent waste from contaminating the water.
Separate food and water storage from areas where toilets, sewers or septic tanks are located to avoid contamination
Step 6. Maintain proper personal hygiene
Typhoid fever can be transmitted by touch, so wash your hands – preferably with soap or gel alcohol – before handling water and food and after using the bathroom or handling any dirty object. Be well-groomed in general, taking baths daily.