Typhoid cases rise in Gandhinagar, expert shares early symptoms and recovery tips

Typhoid fever is an infection that is caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi, and it can spread through food or water that has been contaminated. (Picture Credit: Canva)

• Typhoid often begins with mild fever, fatigue, and digestive issues.
• Early diagnosis and prompt care prevent severe complications.
• Typhoid spreads via contaminated food, water, and poor sanitation practices

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Typhoid starts like a mild disease with transient and nonspecific symptoms such as those seen in frequent viral infections. Early recognition of these warning signs and timely intervention can go a long way in minimizing complications, speeding up recovery and even preventing the disease from being fatal.

Typhoid fever is an infection that is caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi, and it can spread through food or water that has been contaminated. Although it continues to be a major public health problem worldwide, the most difficult aspect in the control of typhoid is late diagnosis. Early symptoms go unnoticed by patients in many cases because they seem mild or similar to routine fatigue, the flu and stomach problems. This lapse allows the bacteria to multiply and disseminate, which can result in severe complications such as intestinal bleeding, perforation or a prolonged illness.

Early identification and prompt medical aid can lead to a significant recovery, says Pune-based senior internal medicine expert Dr Kaushal Malhotra. The early stage of typhoid can have mild symptoms, and it is not uncommon for a patient to ignore early symptoms but certain symptoms should never be ignored as they may indicate typhoid: prolonged fever, bloating in abdomen, or even a sudden onset of fatigue could all add up to typhoid, especially if you are in a high-risk area.

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Persistent Low-Grade Fever

One of the most ignored symptoms at early stages of typhoid is a low-grade but persistent fever that increases every afternoon and in the evenings. It is often confused with a viral fever or tired-due-to-exhaustion temperature. If a fever lingers for more than three days and no apparent cause emerges, Dr Malhotra recommends calling a doctor.

What you can do: Have a blood test as recommended by a doctor, and don’t self-medicate for the condition with antibiotics.

Unusual Fatigue and Weakness

At the outset typhoid fatigue is frequently out of all proportion to the physical exertion. This exhaustion can feel more profound than regular tiredness, and it often goes unnoticed.

What to do

Get enough rest, avoid strenuous activity and see a doctor if you remain weak.

Digestive Discomfort and Appetite Loss

Early warning signs like feelings of fullness, mild abdominal discomfort, difficulty with bowel movements and loss of appetite that are often ignored. These are frequently confused with indigestion.

What to do

Eat light, easily digestible food and get evaluated if symptoms don’t improve.

Headache and Body Aches

Some people may get recurring mild headaches and aching throughout the body, which can occur before more specific symptoms become evident but are often dismissed as due to other reasons like generalized stress or dehydration.

What to do: Stay hydrated and see a doctor if the pain does not ease when fever is gone.

Dry Cough and Coated Tongue

Dry cough and white-coated tongue are mild symptoms which people find it difficult to believe that they can be typhoid related, Dr Malhotra adds.

Also read: Indore water contamination crisis: Top internal medicine expert explains what went wrong and how it could have been prevented

What to do

Keep your mouth clean and tell the doctor about it.

FAQs on typhoid:

1. What is typhoid?

Typhoid is a bacterial infection caused by salmonella typhi that spreads through contaminated food and water.

2. How does typhoid spread?

It spreads via poor sanitation, unsafe drinking water, unhygienic food handling and close contact with an infected person.

3. What are the early symptoms of typhoid?

Persistent high fever, headache, weakness, loss of appetite, stomach pain, constipation or diarrhoea are common early signs.

4. Can typhoid symptoms be mild at first?

Yes. Early symptoms often resemble flu or viral fever, which is why typhoid is frequently ignored or misdiagnosed initially.

5. How is typhoid diagnosed?

Blood tests, stool tests or bone marrow tests help confirm typhoid. Doctors may also check for elevated infection markers.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.