What are the first sign of Typhoid Fever?

Typhoid Fever

Key Points

• Typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever are bacterial infections occurring worldwide, acquired through the consumption of fecal contaminated food or water, mainly in settings with a very poor standard of hygiene.
• Risk is intermediate, but highest for travelers visiting friends and relatives and those with travel outside prearranged, fixed itineraries going to remote areas of affected countries (especially in South and Southeast Asia).
• Symptoms include prolonged, gradually increasing fever, fatigue, headache, muscle ache, and loss of appetite, which may be preceded by diarrhea.
• Consequences of untreated infection include intestinal perforation, intestinal bleeding, or death.
• Prevention includes observing food and beverage precautions and hand-hygiene measures (regardless of vaccination status).
• Injectable typhoid vaccine requires a single dose. Oral typhoid vaccine is given in 4 doses (1 dose every other day).
• Injectable vaccine side effects are most commonly injection-site reactions. Oral vaccine side effects are most commonly nausea, abdominal pain and cramps, vomiting, fever, headache, and rash or hives.
• Duration of vaccine protection following a completed series is 2 years for the injectable vaccine and 5 years for the oral vaccine. Revaccination is recommended for conditions of continued exposure after 2 to 5 years depending on the vaccine previously used.

Introduction

Typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever are potentially serious bacterial infections known as enteric (intestinal) fevers occurring worldwide. Transmission is through the consumption of fecal contaminated food or water; risk is highest in developing countries, especially South Asia. Untreated typhoid fever is fatal in up to 20% of cases; however, with early and appropriate antibiotic treatment, the death rate falls to less than 1%.

Risk Areas

Typhoid fever predominately occurs in countries with warm climates and less developed sanitary facilities for sewage disposal and water treatment, especially in South and Southeast Asia. Typhoid and paratyphoid fevers are uncommon in the U.S., with most cases occurring among international travelers, the majority of whom had traveled to South Asia.

Transmission

Typhoid and paratyphoid fevers are predominantly transmitted through the consumption of fecal contaminated food (e.g., raw, undercooked, or inadequately cooked shellfish, frozen fruits, vegetables, milk or milk products) and water (or ice).

Risk Factors

Risk is intermediate for travelers going to affected areas and is related to overall food hygiene anywhere in the developing world. Risk is highest for those visiting friends and relatives and/or going to remote areas of endemic countries. However, in any country in the world, even the most hygienic restaurant could be risky because of a food handler who is a healthy, symptom-free typhoid carrier.

The risk of becoming ill following infection varies with the number of bacterial organisms ingested and the level of gastric (stomach) acid secretion. Stomach acid is the body's first line of defense against the bacteria, and reduced acid from taking medicines (such as antacids) increases the risk of infection.

Symptoms

Symptoms most commonly appear about 14 to 21 days following exposure and include prolonged, gradually increasing high fever, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, loss of appetite, and a rash appearing on the trunk, which may be preceded by diarrhea. Typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever have the same symptoms, but typhoid fever may be more dangerous. Symptoms of typhoid fever can be confused with malaria.

Consequences of Infection

Untreated typhoid or paratyphoid fever can lead to gastrointestinal bleeding, intestinal perforation, or death.

Need for Medical Assistance

Travelers who develop a high persistent fever and general debility during travel or upon return from endemic areas should seek urgent medical assistance.

Prevention

Non vaccine

Observe food and beverage precautions and hand-hygiene measures (regardless of vaccination status).

Vaccine

Two moderately effective vaccines (injectable or oral) are available for typhoid fever but not for paratyphoid fever, although the oral typhoid vaccine might offer some protection against 1 strain of paratyphoid bacteria. Protection may last longer with the oral vaccine. A large oral intake of bacteria can overwhelm even an optimal response to the vaccine.

For travel to risk countries, vaccination is recommended for travelers:

• With long-stays
• With adventurous eating habits
• Who travel outside prearranged, fixed itineraries (including common tourist packages), especially in rural areas
• Who visit relatives or friends (who may be less likely to eat safe foods)
• Going to smaller cities, villages, and rural areas that are off the usual tourist itineraries where food and beverage choices may be more limited
• Who have previously had typhoid disease (typhoid is a bacterial infection and does not confer long-term protection)

Side Effects

The most common side effects of the injectable vaccine include redness and tenderness at the injection site. Occasionally, fever, headache, influenza-like episodes, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea occur.

The most common side effects of the oral vaccine include nausea, abdominal pain and cramps, vomiting, fever, headache, and rash or hives.

Persons with underlying medical conditions or who have concerns about the vaccine should speak to their health care provider before vaccine administration.

Timing

Injectable vaccine is given as follows:

• Travelers 2 years and older: 1 dose
• Vaccination should be completed at least 2 weeks before potential exposure.

Oral vaccine is given as follows:

• Travelers 6 years and older: 4 oral doses; 1 capsule taken every other day (days 0, 2, 4, and 6), 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal, with cool or lukewarm water.
• Capsules must be kept refrigerated.
• Vaccination should be completed at least 1 week before potential exposure.

Revaccination is recommended for conditions of continued exposure and can be done with either vaccine, with the interval depending on the last vaccine used (2 years if injectable vaccine was previously used, and 5 years if oral vaccine was previously used).

Source : https://tripprep.com/library/typhoid-fever/traveler-summary