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Typhoid Fever – Symptoms, Causes and Prevention

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Typhoid Fever

According to a research published in The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, approximately 494 children out of 1 Lakh between the age of group 5 and 15 years suffer from typhoid fever in India each year. Even though this disease can affect individuals of any age group, it is especially rampant among young children.

The disease is essentially a type of bacterial infection that is caused by food or water contaminated by salmonella Typhi. Even though the fatality from this disease has been curbed to quite an extent in recent years, there are still instances where the fever can progress fast and ultimately lead to the death of the infected individual.

Regardless, if individuals are aware of their symptoms, causes and take appropriate preventive measures, they can protect themselves from this disease effectively.

How to identify typhoid fever symptoms?

An infected individual develops several symptoms from the disease over a span of several weeks.

Some symptoms are as follows –

In early-stage-

  • High fever that can reach up to 104.9°
  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Headaches
  • Abdominal and muscle pain
  • Abdominal swelling
  • Rash
  • Constipation or diarrhoea
  • Loss of appetite, leading to weight loss

It is best to visit a doctor if you develop any of these symptoms. If left untreated, the disease can progress to the later stages accompanied by the following symptoms –

Later stages –

  • Deliriousness
  • Overwhelming weakness

Once this disease progresses to its later stage, patients almost always need hospitalisation. Unless you have a comprehensive Pocket Insurance & Subscription like Hospital Cash Cover insurance policy offered by financial institutions like Bajaj Finserv, in place, the treatment expenses can be quite significant.

Causes of typhoid fever

This bacterium primarily spreads through the following ways –

  1. Oral-faecal transmission

This disease usually spreads through contaminated water or food or via direct contact of an infected individual. In countries where the malady is rampant, it originates due to improper sanitation or drinking unclean water.

This bacterium is usually passed through the urine and faeces of infected individuals. You also stand the risk of contracting the infection if you consume food handled by someone with the ailment.

  1. Bacteria carriers

Sometimes, even after seeking treatment, individuals can harbour these bacteria in their gallbladders or intestines. These individuals, known as chronic carriers, often shed the bacteria through their faeces and pose the risk of infecting others.

Therefore, if you have been diagnosed with this disease, it is crucial for you to seek proper treatment to ensure that the bacterium is entirely eradicated from your body.

Sometimes the cost of seeking this treatment can become quite heavy on your pocket. Availing Pocket Insurance & Subscriptions like Water Borne Diseases Insurance Cover offered by Bajaj Finserv, can however, effectively help you to cover the expenses of seeking comprehensive treatment for this disease.

Typhoid fever prevention

In developing countries like India, necessities like proper sanitation, safe drinking water, etc. can sometimes be difficult to avail. That is why, it is crucial for individuals to be vaccinated against the disease to minimise the risks of infection. However, even with vaccination, individuals are not 100% protected from typhoid fever.

Nonetheless, following the guidelines below can help you to reduce the risks of infection –

  • Wash hands frequently.
  • Avoid consuming raw food and vegetables.
  • Avoid drinking unclean water.
  • Try to eat hot, freshly prepared food.

Even with preventive measures in place, individuals always stand the chance of contracting the disease. That is why it is best to have contingency plans to cover the cost of treating the disease in place.

A water-borne illness cover offered by NBFCs, for instance, is the perfect option to reduce the financial liabilities incurred from treating the disease.

It provides the following benefits –

  • A high cover of up to Rs. 50,000.
  • Comprehensive coverage for expenses incurred for hospitalisation, diagnostic tests, doctor’s fee, medicines, etc.
  • Easy claim process.

An insurance policy, thus, is one of the best ways to be protected from financial liabilities arising from typhoid fever. Before applying for the insurance, make sure you have the requisite documents in place to make sure that the application process is hassle-free.