CAUSES OF TYPHOID IN BABIES

Typhoid is caused by the bacteria Salmonella Typhi. The contaminated food and water enters the intestine to the intestinal lymph nodes, then to liver and spleen and finally to the blood, then the bacteria spread and multiply and cause infection to the babies. The bacteria firstly infect the gallbladder and then it is spread to other parts of the body through the blood.

SYMPTOMS OF TYPHOID IN BABIES

There are various symptoms of typhoid and they are:-

• Fever
• Weakness
• Chills
• Rash appearing on the lower chest and abdomen
• Constipation
• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhea

WHEN TO CALL A DOCTOR

In case if the mother is in an endemic area and she found the symptoms of typhoid then she should immediately call a doctor. She should also call a doctor if the typhoid relapses or any other symptoms develop.

DIAGNOSIS OF TYPHOID

After the symptoms of typhoid have been identified in the baby, the doctor performs the following tests:-

• A stool culture
• A fluorescent antibody study
• White blood cell count in blood
• A blood test
• An Elisa test

By performing these tests, doctors can confirm that the baby is having typhoid or not.

TREATMENT OF TYPHOID

Typhoid is treated in babies by giving antibiotics to them so that the bacteria Salmonella are killed by it. After using antibiotics, the fatality rate for typhoid in babies was 10 percent.

But now, the mortality rate has been decreased to 1 to 2 percent by using the antibiotics. Chloramphenicol was the drug used to treat typhoid but it has too many side effects. So antibiotics are given to treat the babies. The mother should only give that medicine to the baby which is prescribed by the doctor.

Some other medicine containing vitamins are also given to the babies to increase their strength. Some electrolytes and intravenous fluids can also be given to babies. After giving treatment also the illness lasts for about two to four weeks.

In case if treatment is not done properly it can cause serious problems and even can cause death or complications can also develop such as kidney failure, intestinal hemorrhage etc.

PREVENTION OF TYPHOID

Sometimes immunization is not very effective, so certain vaccines are recommended by the doctor to prevent the babies from typhoid.

To prevent them from this disease, boiled water and well cooked food should be given to the babies. ORS should be given to them in case of serious condition. So, some measures should be kept in mind by the mother to prevent the babies from typhoid such as:-

• Water should be boiled so that water can be free from bacteria.
• Food supply whichever the mother is giving should not contain any bacteria.

Source:tenderbabycare.com