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Typhoid Fever & Diphtheria. What are they?. Content source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases: Division of Bacterial Diseases . What is Typhoid Fever?.
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Typhoid Fever & Diphtheria What are they? Content source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases: Division of Bacterial Diseases
What is Typhoid Fever? • Typhoid fever is a life-threatening illness caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi. In the United States about 400 cases occur each year, and 75% of these are acquired while traveling internationally. Typhoid fever is still common in the developing world, where it affects about 21.5 million persons each year.
How is it spread? • Persons with typhoid fever carry the bacteria in their bloodstream and intestinal tract. A small number of persons, called carriers , recover from typhoid fever but continue to carry the bacteria. Both ill persons and carriers shed S. Typhi in their feces (stool).
How is it spread? • You can get typhoid fever if you eat food or drink beverages that have been handled by a person who is shedding S. Typhi or if sewage contaminated with S. Typhi bacteria gets into the water you use for drinking or washing food. • Typhoid fever is more common in areas of the world where handwashing is less frequent and water is likely to be contaminated with sewage.
Symptoms • Sustained fever as high as 103° to 104° F (39° to 40° C). • Feel weak, or have stomach pains, headache, or loss of appetite. • May have a rash of flat, rose-colored spots.
Treatment: Antibiotics • Persons given antibiotics usually begin to feel better within 2 to 3 days, and deaths rarely occur. However, persons who do not get treatment may continue to have fever for weeks or months, and as many as 20% may die from complications of the infection.
Diphtheria • The bacteria most commonly infects the nose and throat. The throat infection causes a gray to black, tough, fiber-like covering, which can block the airways. In some cases, diphtheria may first infect the skin, producing skin lesions. • Antitoxin only in U.S. • Diphtheria remains in developing countries. The countries of the former Soviet Union have reported >150,000 cases in an epidemic which began in 1990. Source for slides to follow: University of Washington School of Medicine
How does it spread? • Direct person-to-person transmission (respiratory and physical contact) and through contaminated food and objects. • Because of widespread and routine childhood DPT immunizations, diphtheria is now rare in many parts of the world. There are fewer than five cases of diphtheria a year in the United States. • Risk factors for developing nations: crowded environments, poor hygiene, and lack of immunization.
Symptoms Basically, it ends in suffocation… • Bluish coloration of the skin • Bloody, watery drainage from nose • Breathing problems • Difficulty breathing • No breathing • Rapid breathing • Stridor, high-pitched breathing sound caused by blockage • Chills • Croup-like (barking) cough • Drooling (airway blockage) • Fever • Hoarseness • Painful swallowing • Skin lesions (usually seen in tropical areas) • Sore throat (may range from mild to severe) TREATMENT: antitoxin and antibiotics