Got Typhoid Even After Drinking Clean Water? Hidden Causes Doctors Warn About

It is widely known that typhoid spreads through unclean and contaminated water. The condition, caused by Salmonella Typhi bacteria, can be easily treated to save lives. Yet, many times it does not even

get diagnosed well in time because even those who drink filtered and clean water are affected. The reason is that people think that since they are drinking RO water, they will not be affected by typhoid. However, according to experts, the fever can also spread through food contaminated with S. Typhi. This happens if someone with typhoid touches something you eat or drink without washing their hands. It can also happen if wastewater – that has poop or pee in it – gets into food you eat. You can get typhoid from another person if they don’t wash their hands after going to the bathroom. When they touch surfaces and objects (like phones or doorknobs), they can leave bacteria behind that can transfer to the next person who touches them. According to the World Health Organisation, typhoid often begins with fever but should not be treated as just viral fever or food poisoning. By the time fever becomes severe, the infection may already be advanced.

What are the stages of typhoid?

You can develop symptoms of typhoid fever gradually in four stages. Early treatment with antibiotics can keep you from progressing to later stages.

Stage 1

You can start getting typhoid symptoms anywhere from five to 14 days after coming in contact with S. Typhi. The first symptom is a fever that gets higher over a few days, called “stepwise” since it goes up in steps. The bacteria are moving into your blood in this stage.

Stage 2

In the second week of fever, the bacteria start to multiply, making you have severe abdominal pain and other symptoms, like diarrhoea or constipation. You may also get “rose spots”, small pink dots on your skin that look like a rash.

Stage 3

If not treated with antibiotics, the bacteria can lead to severe damage, usually around the third week after your symptoms start. You may also get serious complications, like internal bleeding.

Stage 4

In this stage, most people begin to recover as the fever also comes down.

Signs and symptoms of typhoid

Apart from a high fever that lasts for weeks if left untreated, typhoid often gets progressively worse over a few days. Other symptoms include:

• Severe headache
• Chills
• Loss of appetite
• Stomach pain
• Rashes usually appear on your chest or stomach.
• Cough
• Muscle aches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhoea or constipation

How is typhoid treated?

Doctors say typhoid is treated with antibiotics – and even though a few newer types of the bacteria are able to survive antibiotic treatments, you can also be treated with different antibiotics depending on the type of ailment you have. Paratyphoid fever is also treated with antibiotics. However, if you have complications, you may also need additional treatments, apart from being admitted to the hospital.