What are the complications and diet of Typhoid Fever?

Typhoid is a worldwide common disease caused due to salmonella infection. The disease leads to high fever for short duration and lining of small intestine are found damaged. The bacteria of typhoid fever are spread due to contaminated water, milk, food, public sanitation conditions and sometimes by the insects flying on the feces. Several public campaigns are introduced to inculcate knowledge among them and encouraging them to wash hands after defecating and before having food to control the disease.

Untreated typhoid leads to four stages of typhoid each lasting for approx 1 week. In the 1st week of typhoid fever there is slowly increase in the temperature along with headache, cough and malaise bloody nose and fall in count of white blood cells are seen. During the second week, there is high fever in the second week and diarrhea usually occur during second week, four to eight time stool in a day green with characteristic smell compare to pea soup. Blo9od cultures are still positive at this stage.

In the third stage few complications can occur like;

• Intestinal hemorrhage, this can be serious but not fatal

• Intestinal perforation in the distal ileum. A very serious condition and is frequently fatal

• Encephalitis

• Neuropsychiatric symptoms

• Metastatic abscesses

Typhoid fever leads to an inadequate absorption of food which can make you feel hungry and weak. Therefore, it is recommended to follow healthy diet chart to keep up high calorie level and carbohydrates.

• Protein intake should be high by taking milk and eggs

• Increase in the amount of carbohydrates to increase the energy level. Glucose, starches, honey and sugar cane should be included in diet as they are easily digestible

• All forms of irritants and spicy food should be excluded from diet as there is injury in small intestine

• Fats are increased to increase energy but if the body is also suffering from diarrhea also fats needs to restrict. Quality of fats is more important than the quantity. Fats like butter, cream and milk should be added to diet as they are easily digestible

• Due excessive sweating there is loss of sodium, potassium and chloride. Thus, salty soup, broths, fruit juices and milk will help to compensate the loss

• Infected body requires good amount of vitamin A, B and C. therefore, vitamin supplements need to be taken along with medicines

• Liberal amount of water is necessary for the body for adequate amount of urine to excreting waste. At least 3-4 liters of water is essential every day it can be in the form of milk, water, tea, juices etc

• Small meal should be given at a regular interval

• Plenty of water or any kind of fluid should be ensured and sufficient amount of salt

• Easily digestible diet should be followed, low fiber and soft diet

• Gradually, with the improvement in condition larger meals can be given

Taking proper diet and drugs priscripted by doctors