Vincent Ede

He was only 25. Did he have to die? Typhoid fever is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi. This disease is transmitted through the consumption of food or beverages contaminated by feces and/or urine of the infected person. Typhoid fever is widely transmitted through unclean water and poor sanitation. Ceftriaxone has a better treatment effectiveness compared to chloramphenicol in typhoid fever patients.

Antibiotic therapy is the only effective treatment for typhoid fever.

Commonly prescribed antibiotics:

Ciprofloxacin (Cipro): In the United States, doctors often prescribe this for adults who aren't pregnant. Another similar drug called ofloxacin also may be used. Unfortunately, many Salmonella typhi bacteria are no longer susceptible to antibiotics of this type, particularly strains picked up in Southeast Asia.

Azithromycin (Zithromax): This may be used if a person is unable to take ciprofloxacin or the bacteria are resistant to ciprofloxacin.

Ceftriaxone: This injectable antibiotic is an alternative in more-complicated or serious infections and for people who may not be candidates for ciprofloxacin, such as children.

The injectable vaccine requires a booster every 2 years, and the oral vaccine requires a booster every 5 years.

There are two vaccines to prevent typhoid fever. One is an inactivated (killed) vaccine and the other is a live, attenuated (weakened) vaccine. 

Typhoid vaccines lose effectiveness over time. The injectable vaccine requires a booster every 2 years, and the oral vaccine requires a booster every 5 years. If you were vaccinated in the past, ask your doctor if it is time for a booster vaccination. Taking antibiotics will not prevent typhoid fever; they only help treat it.

Prevention is the Key
Education and understanding of this disease is crucial. We at Caring Hands plan to visit schools giving information about how to prevent this disease. The children can then share this information with their family, parents and friends. This is a disease that can be eliminated through knowledge.

Treatment
Once infected, only antibiotics can help and that does not secure one’s recovery.