Typhoid fever is caused by an organism called Sulmonella Typhi which is transmitted from the faeces and urine of a disease carrier. And only lack of hygeine such as not washing hands before eating or cooking or consuming contaminated food can lead to typhoid.
Typhoid [Illustration by Shinod AP]
Outside the human body, the typhoid bacilli virus can survive for a varying period of time in water, ice, food, milk and soil. The disease spreads because of contamination of water, open air defecation and low standards of personal hygiene. In India, most cases are reported during the monsoons between July and September.
Prevention:
Typhoid can be prevented by disinfecting the house regularly and maintaining personal hygeine and by being careful about food consumed outside home.
Immunisation:
Although immunisation is the most effective way of preventing typhoid, it does not give 100 percent immunity. But, it definitely lowers the intensity of the infection.
Typhoid vaccines are now available as oral tablets. But it cannot be used by AIDS patients, patients with a high fever or those who have an acute intestinal infection.
