Typhoid Fever

Typhoid fever is a disease caused by infection with the bacterium, Salmonella typhi. The bacterium is most commonly transmitted through fecally contaminated water, or less frequently food or other substances. The bacterium is also shed in the urine of infected individuals although feces is a more common source of infection. Initially after ingestion, the bacteria establish in the intestine; however, as the infection progress the bacteria leave the intestine and colonize the lymphatic system and blood. At this point 7 to 10 days after initial exposure, symptoms of infection begin to appear and include fever, the appearance of ìrose spotsî red lesions on the abdomen, and spleenomegaly (enlargement of the spleen). In severe cases perforation of the intestine and hemorrhage may occur. The fever usually persists for about a month in untreated cases with about a 20% mortality rate and an additional 10% of patients suffering from intestinal hemorrhage. Even after signs of the infection have passed, the convalescent individual may by passing infective bacteria in feces and urine for several more weeks.

Although typhoid fever is very treatable with antibiotics and preventable with vaccination, this disease ironically is the second most common fatal infectious disease of children in Bawa and is second only to AIDS as the leading cause of death in the 21-50 year old age group.

One of our highest priorities is to see all residents of Bawa vaccinated against this deadly disease. Additionally, the provision of clean drinking water will greatly reduce the risk of this disease.