Typhoid Fever Due to Unclean Food

Typhoid fever, which most people often know as typhus, is a bacterial infection caused by Salmonella typhi germs which can spread throughout the body and affect the internal organs of the body, so without quick treatment, this disease can be fatal. Typhoid fever can be transmitted from one person to another through feces (fecal-oral) and is closely related to a person's hygiene. The age group that is vulnerable to suffering from typhoid fever is children aged 5 years and over. At this age, children generally start going to school and are familiar with snacks outside the home. And if the food or snacks purchased are not clean, they could contain S.typhi germs and enter the child's body through the food.

Causes of Typhoid Fever

Typhoid fever is caused by infection with the bacteria Salmonella typhi, Salmonella paratyphi A, B or C. The incubation period for this disease can be 3 – 60 days. The risk factors that can increase the chance of getting typhoid fever are:

• Live in a country/region with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water
• Traveling or working in areas where typhoid fever often occurs
• Children are susceptible to infections because their immune systems are not yet fully developed
• Contact with people who are infected or have recently been infected with typhoid fever
• Consuming water or food that is contaminated and contains Salmonella typhi

SYMPTOMS THAT APPEAR

Symptoms of typhoid fever that arise can vary, including:

• Fever that lasts more than 7 days and does not respond to administration of fever-reducing medication. Fever can increase gradually every day and last up to 3 weeks if not treated
• Headache
• Pain in joints and muscles
• Excessive tiredness
• Weakness all over the body
• Bloating or pain in the stomach
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea or difficulty defecating
• Cough
• Weight loss or lack of appetite

In severe cases it can cause serious complications or even death.

What you need to pay attention to and how to prevent it

If you or your family suffer from typhoid fever, what you should pay attention to is:

• Motivate sufferers to drink frequently, which can be water, juice or milk.
• Compress with plain water if you have a fever or use a compress plaster.
• Bed rest/bed rest.
• Don't eat foods that can stimulate digestion such as spicy or sour foods.
• Don't wear thick clothes when you have a fever.
• Take medication regularly according to the dosage recommended by your doctor.
• Eat healthy and nutritious food, on time and in sufficient portions.

Meanwhile, to prevent typhoid fever, you can do the following things:

• Cultivate the habit of always washing your hands with water and soap, especially before eating and after using the toilet.
• Food is cooked properly and drinking water must be cooked until it boils so that germs die.
• Wash fruit and vegetables thoroughly, especially if eaten raw
• Avoid areas with high cases of typhoid fever
• Maintain clean environmental sanitation
• Get a typhoid vaccination