Typhoid fever in children can be fatal

 

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This fever causes infection in different systems of the child's body. 'Salmonella typhi' is its germ. 'Para-typhoid fever' produces a milder illness with almost similar symptoms in childhood. The germ of which is 'Salmonella para-typhi'.

Its prevalence is high in developing countries where sanitary management is poor. These two diseases are more common in the age group of five to 19 years. The germs of typhoid and para-typhoid enter the child's body by mixing with feces and urine, phlegm and cough, food, water or unpasteurized milk.

Symptoms: Typhoid fever in childhood presents with no or mild symptoms or a variety of symptoms. Symptoms appear within seven to 14 days after the entry of typhoid and para-typhoid germs into the body.

1) In 10 to 20 percent of cases, the child has transient diarrhea before all symptoms appear. Later the child became seriously ill. Then there is fever with chills, loss of appetite, dry cough, pain in the front of the head etc.

2) The main symptoms of typhoid fever are fever, loss of consciousness, abdominal pain, constipation and hepatosplenomegaly.

3) 75 to 85 percent of patients develop fever during the first week, which initially lasts for a while. But later it settles down. Temperatures sometimes rise to 103 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit (39-40 degrees Celsius). During this time the child suffers from constipation. A rash like 'rose spots' can be seen on the skin of some children.

4) From the second week the child becomes seriously ill. Stomach swells. Heart and breathing rate increases.

5) Due to disease complications, bleeding and perforation may occur in the intestinal tract at this time, the size of the liver and spleen increases.

Treatment:

1) General management of a child suffering from typhoid fever includes—paracetamol to reduce fever, increased intake of water and fluids.

2) Currently many drugs have become ineffective in the treatment of typhoid fever. Therefore, under the supervision of a pediatrician, if necessary, the child should be admitted to the hospital, given specific antibiotic treatment for a certain period of time.

 

Preventive measures:

1) Baby food serving should be clean. Stale and open street food should not be eaten.

2) Develop the habit of washing hands regularly in children.

3) Typhoid vaccine: Typhoid vaccine can be given to children from two years of age. It is effective in about 55 percent of cases.