Symptoms & Causes Of Typhoid 

Typhoid disease is a bacterial infection caused by Salmonella Typhi bacteria. It is a highly contagious disease and can be life-threatening. The disease is transmitted through water or food that has been contaminated.

The total incubation period of typhoid varies from 3 to 14 days. In the initial two weeks, the person may feel tired, have abdominal pain and loss of appetite. After this phase, fever typically persists for a further 2–4 weeks. 

Malaise and weakness are usually present, with aching muscles and joints. Some people may also have a rose-coloured rash on their trunk, limbs and face which lasts for 1–2 days followed by desquamation (skin peeling). The intestinal phase begins with constipation followed by diarrhoea with blood and mucus in stool at times.

When it comes to typhoid diet, there is limited research on this topic. However, some studies show that low fiber diets could be beneficial for certain gastrointestinal conditions. Low fiber diets are often recommended by doctors to treat IBS symptoms like gas, diarrhoea and bloating.

Another study suggested that following a bland diet with low fiber, easily digestible foods like applesauce, toast, white rice and bananas could help improve diarrhea.

Foods Essential for Typhoid Patients

1. Foods Rich in Vitamin C: Vitamin C helps the body develop resistance against infection. It also helps to flush out the bacteria present in the body. As for foods, citrus fruits like Orange, Lemon, Guava, Papaya, Watermelon etc are good sources of Vitamin C. Other vegetables and even green leaves are also rich in Vitamin C. 

2. Bell Pepper: Red pepper has a compound called capsaicin which has a proven anti-inflammatory property and also halts the growth of bacteria.

3. Coconut Water: Readily available in most parts of the globe, it has antibacterial properties which prevent typhoid from spreading.

4. Pomegranate Juice: Pomegranate juice contains a compound called ellagic acid which effectively fights bacteria and also boosts the immune system.

5. Coconut Milk: Coconut milk has lauric acid which works as an effective antibacterial agent against Salmonella Typhi.

6. Kiwi: Kiwi helps to boost immunity and also fights the growth of bacteria. This bold fruit provides a burst of immune-boosting nutrients in every bite. Kiwis are also rich in antioxidants.

7. Strawberries: The compound ellagic acid present in strawberries inhibits the growth of Salmonella Typhi.

Foods to Avoid During Typhoid

Typhoid is an infectious disease that causes high fevers, headaches, stomach pains, and weakness. Typhoid causes an infection of the intestinal tract, so some of the foods to avoid during typhoid are those that irritate the intestines.

The first step is to avoid eating too many fatty foods. Fatty foods take longer to digest than other foods, and this can leave your digestive system working overtime. 

Eating fatty foods that you are not used to eating can cause intestinal gas, which may lead to cramping or diarrhoea. Avoiding these foods can help reduce your risk of getting food poisoning, which is often the cause of typhoid.

Avoid eating dairy products if you have an upset stomach. Some people do not digest cow's milk well, and taking too much of it can irritate your digestive system.

Beware of raw, uncooked fruits and vegetables or any type of food. They have higher chances of being contaminated.

Avoid spicy foods as they can worsen stomach pain and burning in people with typhoid and gastrointestinal disorders. Some research also suggested that limiting spicy foods may be beneficial.

Typhoid Preventive Measures

The spread of this disease can be prevented by taking certain precautions. Chief among them is to practice good hygiene.

People are advised to thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables, especially leafy vegetables, before eating them. Follow strict hand-washing after visiting the bathroom and after touching pets. Everybody should wash their hands with soap before eating, feeding babies or preparing food.

One of the most dreaded and common diseases that can affect people is Typhoid. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), this disease was responsible for infecting 12.4 million people per year in different parts of the world.

The disease is most commonly found in areas with poor sanitation, overcrowding and poor hygiene conditions. Typhoid is spread through contaminated water or food, close contact with an infected person or consuming infected food or beverages. It is very important that everyone knows how to prevent this disease so that they stay safe.

Typhoid is mostly seen in tourist spots. People who travel to such places and also people who live in such places must follow certain preventive measures and it is crucial that we all stay vigilant.

Take Away

Typhoid, an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi, is the most common form of bacterial enteric fever. It is transmitted through contaminated food or body fluids of an infected person.

Treatment of typhoid fever consists of antibiotics. People with typhoid are advised to drink plenty of fluids, rest, and eat a healthy diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables that are rich in Vitamin C.