Parents often worry about fever during this time. If the fever does not improve in three days, it is a cause for concern. Because if the fever is typhoid and paratyphoid, it can be a life-threatening illness.
Child typhoid fever symptoms and what to do, pediatrician Professor Dr. Manjur Hossain.
Type of fever
The intensity of fever can range from low to moderate to high and may increase steadily. Children with high fever usually become weak and lethargic. Vomiting, diarrhea or constipation may occur. Some may have symptoms of shortness of breath along with the cough. The tongue is coated white. In the second week, babies may rarely develop a faint pink rash called a ‘rose spot’ that fades on pressure. But this rash is better understood on fair skin.
Pathological examination
Once typhoid fever is confirmed by a pediatrician, treatment with antibiotics should be started. On clinical grounds, if the physician strongly suspects typhoid, antibiotics are usually started before obtaining the blood culture report. Because it takes at least 72 hours to get the blood culture report.
But keep in mind, like other infections, the temperature will not drop rapidly to normal within 2-3 days, in typhoid fever the temperature drops slowly and may continue for up to a week even after starting proper medication.
In many cases, if the diagnosis is not certain, further tests may be needed to find out if there is a problem other than typhoid fever.
When is hospitalization required?
All cases of typhoid fever may not require admission. In some cases of typhoid fever, especially if mild and detected early, the disease is cured with oral medicines.
Typhoid is basically an intestinal infection that causes inflammation of the intestinal tract, so oral antibiotics (syrup or tablets) are often not absorbed properly. So in some cases, the drugs are not absorbed properly and may fail to work. In this case, intravenous antibiotics should be injected, in which case admission to a hospital or clinic is required.
If the child feels very weak, cannot eat properly or is vomiting, admission is required for antibiotics by injection and also for glucose or saline infusion.
Children with complications of typhoid fever also require hospitalization for complete treatment.
Even after proper treatment and recovery of typhoid fever, fever reoccurs in 5-10 percent of patients. It is called relapsing typhoid. This usually occurs 2-3 weeks after the fever has resolved or gone. Rarely, typhoid may reoccur several months after the initial infection, during or after treatment. Relapse typhoid is usually milder than original typhoid. Relapsed typhoid fever should also be treated with the same antibiotics. In rare cases, a chronic relapsing form of typhoid fever can last for many months, especially if treated with inadequate doses of antibiotics.
Prevention and Antidote
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) is essential to prevent the spread of typhoid where sewage or sanitation infrastructure is inadequate. However, this vaccine provides additional protection against typhoid fever.
Boiling water: Since typhoid is a water- and food-borne disease and the faeces or urine of typhoid-infected patients contain the bacteria and can contaminate water supplies, especially during monsoons. So before drinking water should be boiled.
Stale, open or undercooked food, raw vegetables or contaminated milk and dairy products should also be avoided.
Personal hygiene such as washing hands with soap after using the toilet, before eating or feeding the baby. Similarly, it is important to wash plates, bowls, spoons etc. with clean soapy water before use.
Vaccination: Typhoid vaccine protects against typhoid. Currently, two types of typhoid vaccine are available in Bangladesh – typhoid polysaccharide vaccine and typhoid conjugate vaccine. Typhoid vaccination is generally recommended for children over 2 years of age. This should be repeated after every 3 years. Alternatively, Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine or TCV can be given to children from 6 months onwards.
Guidelines do not require a booster dose of TCV. Typhoid vaccine helps prevent typhoid. There are different types of typhoid vaccines—you should always consult your pediatrician to find out which one is right for your child.
What is the home remedy for typhoid in children?
Here are some of the time-tested home remedies for typhoid.
- Increase Fluid Intake. Typhoid fever may cause vomiting and diarrhoea that might lead to severe dehydration. …
- Use Cold Compresses. …
- Have Apple Cider Vinegar. …
- Basil. …
- Garlic. …
- Bananas. …
- Triphala Churan. …
- Cloves.
Why typhoid happens in kids?
Your child can get typhoid fever from drinking water or eating food that has been contaminated by the typhoid bacteria. This can happen if food or drink is handled by someone with typhoid fever or who is a carrier of the bacteria.
How long does typhoid fever last kids?
With treatment, the symptoms of typhoid fever should quickly improve within 3 to 5 days. If typhoid fever isn’t treated, it’ll usually get worse over the course of a few weeks, and there’s a significant risk of life-threatening complications developing.
How do I know if my child has typhoid?
Symptoms of typhoid in children:
- Step ladder Fever (Typhoid fever temperature can go up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Rash (Typhoid fever rash consists of rose-spots, predominantly in the neck and abdomen.)
- Weakness.
- Dry cough.
- Sweating.
- nausea and vomiting.
- Constipation.
- Diarrhoea (more common in children)
Which fruit is best for typhoid fever?
Add water content-rich fruits such as watermelons, cantaloupes, grapes, apricots to the diet. These fluids and fruits help in restoring the water content in the body that gets depleted during typhoid fever and cause dehydration.
What should be avoided in typhoid for kids?
Avoid tap or well water or drinks (such as juice), ice, ice candies, kulfi, fountain drinks and flavoured ice made with such water. These drinks/food items can be consumed if it is made from bottled/mineral or boiled water.
What should we eat to cure typhoid?
The meals should be light, easy to digest and frequent in nature. Cooked vegetables can be consumed during typhoid so that the body receives vital nutrients to get stronger. Well cooked or boiled vegetables like potatoes, carrots, beets, raw papaya and squash can be consumed.
What are the stages of typhoid fever?
What are The Stages of Typhoid Fever?
- The First Stage. In this typhoid stage, the patient experiences some of the preliminary typhoid symptoms such as dry cough, indolence or headache. …
- The Second Stage. During this typhoid stage, fever runs high and the stomach becomes bloated. …
- The Third Stage. …
- The Fourth Stage.
Can typhoid be cured completely?
Yes, typhoid is dangerous, but curable. Typhoid fever is treated with antibiotics that kill the Salmonella bacteria. Prior to the use of antibiotics, the fatality rate was 20%. Death occurred from overwhelming infection, pneumonia, intestinal bleeding, or intestinal perforation.
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