Typhoid fever is a serious and life-threatening illness caused by the bacterial infection Salmonella typhi. It affects millions of people every year, causing numerous deaths worldwide. If you or someone you know has contracted typhoid fever, it’s important to understand its causes so that you’re well equipped to prevent it in the future. In this article, we'll discuss what causes typhoid fever and how one can avoid contracting it. Read on for more information about why this condition occurs, as well as precautionary measures one can take against it.
Causes of typhoid fever
You may be wondering what causes typhoid fever. Food and water contaminated with the Salmonella bacteria can cause this fever in healthy people. Some important ways in which bacteria can reach the body are as follows:
- Salmonella is usually present in the feces of a person infected with bacteria. Infection with Salmonella typhi infection can spread to healthy people if a person who is infected with bacteria does not wash his/her hands after using the toilet. If an infected person touches food with contaminated hands, then the food gets infected. Anyone who eats this contaminated food may also become infected with the disease.
- Salmonella typhi can also be present in the urine of an infected person, and if, after passing out urine, the infected person does not wash his/her hands properly, then this person might infect water or food with contaminated hands. A person who eats this contaminated food or water may also get infected with the disease.
- In areas where sanitation is poor, infected humans can contaminate the water supply. People living in such areas can get infected by drinking this contaminated water and develop typhoid fever.
- People can also get infected by using a toilet contaminated with bacteria and touching their mouth before washing their hands.
- People can also get infected by eating seafood isolated from contaminated water sources.
- Human waste fertilisers are used in many parts of the world for growing. By eating raw vegetables fertilised with contaminated human waste, infections can spread to healthy subjects.
- Oral or anal sex with an infected person can also spread the disease to a healthy subject.
- Infection can also spread by eating milk products contaminated with the bacteria.
Conclusion:
Typhoid fever is easily preventable if people take the necessary precautions. This includes actively washing fruits and vegetables, avoiding street food vendors, drinking safe water, and getting vaccinated against the disease. It is also important to ensure that all hygiene protocols are properly met and enforced in order to reduce transmission risk from person to person contact. By taking these steps, one can help avoid being exposed or spreading the disease to others. Therefore, knowing what causes typhoid fever can be an important part of protecting oneself and those around you from severe health complications. Health insurance can help cover medical costs in case of unexpected illness or infections like typhoid fever.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your general physician or another certified medical professional for any questions regarding a medical condition. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.