Typhoid fever is an infectious disease transmitted by a certain type of salmonella. It occurs mainly in Africa, South America and Southeast Asia and can cause symptoms only months after transmission. At first, typhoid fever leads to long-lasting constipation and fever.
Later, typical reddening of the abdominal skin, thinning of the bowel movements and a slowing of the heart rate (also called bradycardia) often occur. In addition, there are changes in the blood and those affected are often dazed. Typhus is treated with antibiotics. In risk areas, vaccination against typhoid fever can also be given.
Causes for typhoid fever
Since typhoid fever is an infectious disease, the cause lies in the transmission of the disease by a pathogen. In the case of typhoid fever, this is a specific type of salmonella, i.e. bacteria that mainly occur in humans. The pathogens are transmitted either directly from person to person or indirectly through contaminated drinking water.
In direct infection, the pathogens are transmitted via the contact of one person with the infected stool of another person. This can happen when a person becomes a so-called permanent excreter of salmonella after having already suffered from typhoid fever and the salmonella is then present in the bowel movements of the person affected. If the salmonella enters the body of a person, it can attack certain structures of the immune system in the small intestine.
They infect so-called macrophages, which serve as cells for the immune system, and thus reach the bone marrow, liver, spleen and lymph nodes. In the later course of the disease, all organs are infected by the proliferation of salmonella and its spread via the blood. A detailed overview of all tropical diseases can be found under the article: Overview of tropical diseases
What is the transmission route of typhoid fever?
Typhoid fever can be transmitted either directly or indirectly. In the direct route, the pathogen is transmitted through the contact of one person with the infected stool of another person. The stool can be infected by a previously passed typhus disease. In the indirect route, the pathogen is transmitted through contaminated food. Contaminated water, e.g. due to a lack of separation between drinking and waste water, can also lead to indirect transmission of salmonella
