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Typhoid feveristhe result of systemic infection mainly
by Styphi found only in man. The disease is clinically characterized by a typical
continuous fever for 3 – 4 weeks, relative Brady cardiac with involvement of lymphoid
tissues and considerable constitutional symptoms. The term enteric fever includes
both typhoid and Para typhoid fevers. The disease may occur sporadically, epidemically
or endemically.
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Man is the onlyreservoir of infection i.e. cases and carriers
.The primary source of infection is faeces and urine of cases or carriers, the secondary
source is contaminated water, food, fingers and flies. Typhoid may occur at any
age, highest incidence of this disease is the age of group of 15 –19. Typhoid fever
is transmitted via faecal oral route or urine- oral route. This may take place directly
through soiled hands contaminated with faces. Or urine of cases or carriers or indirectly
by the injestion of contaminated, water, milk or food through the flies. Early diagnosis
: This is of vital importance as the early symptoms is non-specific. Culture of
blood and stools are important investigations in the diagnosis of typhoid. Treatment
: Chloramphenical remains the drug of choice, if the bacilli are sensitive to it
for adults the doze is 500 mg, 4th hourly for 14 days. Co-trimoxazole amoxolline
and trimethoprim are equally effective. Patients seriously ill and profound toxic
may given an injection of hydrocortizone 100 mg daily for 3-4 days .
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