Typhoid Symptoms in Children and Prevention

Typhoid is an illness which is caused by a bacterium called Salmonella typhi and paratyphoid fever is caused by Salmonella paratyphi A, B and C. Typhoid is more severe than paratyphoid. The fever is contracted by drinking water or eating contaminated food. Though the signs and symptoms of typhoid develop gradually, children with typhoid will fall in sick suddenly. The symptoms may usually appear after one to three weeks.

Typhoid symptoms in children

High fever, headache, weakness and fatigue, soar throat, abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, rash, etc are the symptoms which appear during the first week of illness. Diarrhea is the major symptom of typhoid among children whereas, severe constipation is the major sign which appear among adults. Small rashes on the lower chest or upper abdomen will appear during the second week of illness. These are temporary rashes and usually it disappear within 2-5 days.

High fever will continue during the second week of illness. The other symptoms together with fever appear in this stage are diarrhea or constipation, considerable weight loss, extremely distended abdomen.

The patient becomes delirious during the third week of illness. They will also become motionless and exhausted with half closed eyes. This stage is known as typhoid state. During this stage, life threatening complications often develop.

You should consult the doctor immediately if you suspect that your child is under the grip of typhoid fever. Advance medical care is essential for fever like typhoid.

Prevention from typhoid fever

Prevention is always better than cure. Mostly, typhoid is transmitted by food and water contaminated by the typhoid bacteria. Besides, it also spreads through urine of the patients and carriers, eating raw vegetable, drinking contaminated milk and milk products, etc.

• You should cook the foods thoroughly to kill the typhoid bacteria and eat them while they are hot.
• Wash your hands properly before preparing or serving food. The dishes and utensils must also be washed properly with soap and water so that you can keep typhoid at bay. Eat only freshly peeled fruits.
• Water is the major medium which transmits the disease. Even if it looks clean, it may carry the typhoid bacteria. So, properly purify or boil the drinking water thoroughly to kill the bacteria.
• Typhoid bacteria live in faeces. So, even if a person looks healthy, his faeces may contain the typhoid bacteria. So, the toilet being used by the kids or adults, must be clean. Babies’ faeces should be disposed in the toilet. Hands should be washed with soap and clean water after using toilet.