Diagnostic tests for typhoid
Typhoid fever is caused by Salmonella typhi, a Gram-negative bacterium. S. Typhi has several unique features and the genetic basis of many of which is known as a result of early genetic studies and the recent sequencing of the whole genome. The bacteria S. typhi can be identified in the laboratory by several biochemical and serological tests prevalent for its detection.
During an acute infection, the bacterium S. Typhi multiplies in mononuclear phagocytic cells before being released into the human bloodstream. The typhoid organisms pass through the pylorus and reach the small intestine, these bacteria rapidly penetrate the mucosal epithelium either through microfold cells or enterocytes and arrive in the lamina propria.
The Clinical illness is accompanied mainly by a fairly sustained but low level of secondary bacteraemia in the blood.
There are Many factors that also influence the severity and overall clinical outcome of the typhoid infection. They mainly include the duration of illness before the initiation of appropriate medical therapy, the proper choice of antimicrobial treatment, age, also the previous exposure or vaccination history, the changed virulence of the bacterial strain, the total quantity of inoculum ingested and host factors
Types of diagnostic tests:
- Specimens: For the blood culture it is essential to inoculate the media at the time of drawing blood from the patient. Once the specimens have been inoculated, blood culture bottles should not be kept cold. They should be incubated at 37°C and in tropical countries be left at room temperature, before being processed in the laboratory for results.
- Blood: The blood cultured is the primary factor in the isolation of S. Typhi from typhoid patients as the children have higher levels of bacteraemia than adults. The Blood has to be collected by using the highly sterile technique of venous puncture and inoculated immediately into a blood culture collection sample bottle with the same syringe that has been used for collection and further contamination should be prevented.
- Serum: For tests regarding serological purposes, 1 to 3 ml of blood should be inoculated into a tube without anticoagulant. A second sample of blood serum should be collected at the convalescent stage, mostly 5 days later. After blood clotting has occurred the serum should be separated again and stored in aliquots of 200 ml at +4°C. The sample Testing has to be taken place immediately if then the storage can continue for a week without affecting the antibody present. The serum should be frozen at -20°C if longer-term storage is required for preventing any contamination.
- Stool samples: in some cases, even Stools can be collected from acute patients and they are especially very useful for the diagnosis of typhoid carriers. The isolation of S. Typhi from stools is suggestive of typhoid fever. These Stool specimens should be collected in a sterile wide-mouthed plastic container. The chances of obtaining positive results increase with the stools collected. Specimens should preferably be processed within two hours after sample collection. A stool culture may increase the total yield of culture-positive results by up to 5% in acute typhoid fever.
Monsoon diseases; Prevention and cure
Have you ever wondered why you have been suffering from a lot of diseases especially during the monsoon? Monsoon is the time when you tend to suffer from most upsetting diseases. If you fail to take care at the right time, then it is normal that you will suffer for a longer duration. This is the time when the germs & infections will attack you the most and you feel more sick and endangered.
The monsoons can prove to be a health menace as there are various diseases that come along with the rains. Monsoon is also the time when you suffer from most general health disorders. And for this reason, it is better to know some of the quick remedies and treatments for you to recover sooner.
We all love rain. Kids and Teenage individuals are more happy to enjoy the rain and they are also at increased risk of being affected by a variety of diseases and other serious health disorders. This is also the season when airborne & water borne diseases easily attack the individuals.
Cold, flu, dengue, water infection, food infection, cholera, and leptospirosis are some of the most common monsoon diseases. Leptospirosis is a condition that is caused by bacteria which carried by either a man or an animal. These conditions can severely affect the kidneys, causes liver failure, respiratory problems, meningitis, etc. these are some of the incurable diseases that can make you feel really sick and takes quite a long time for complete recovery.
How to treat fungal diseases?
You are at a greater risk of suffering from fungal infections during the rainy seasons. It is advisable to keep your body dry especially during these times. Keep those parts of your body that tend to get sweatier in time. The areas between two toes, areas behind your knees and elbows are the ones that tend to get sweatier easier. You can make use of anti-fungal powder as this will help in soaking the sweat at specific areas. If you feel your condition gets worse over time and the infection spreads throughout your skin then it is advisable to consult a physician.
Dengue-the most common monsoon disease:
The most notorious monsoon disease carried by the Aedes mosquito which is a daytime biter, is the dengue. Dengue is the most common monsoon disease and its germs are often carried by mosquitoes. Most of us have a chance of suffering from dengue during the monsoon seasons. Some of the usual symptoms of this disease are body ache, joint pains, body rashes & fever.
Symptoms:
- You might develop high fever within 4 to 7 days of the mosquito bite.
- Skin rashes
- Muscle & joint pains
- Pain behind the eyes
- Loss of appetite
- Bleeding gums
The mosquito that is responsible for causing dengue is the tiger mosquito. So some of the preventive measures to protect yourself from being affected by dengue include, applying mosquito repellents creams all over your body, wear clothes that fully cover in order to prevent the mosquito from biting.
Typhoid- the usual monsoon disease
One of the common monsoon diseases is typhoid. This is mainly caused due to the consumption of unclean water. It is mainly due to consumption of food & water contaminated by bacteria Salmonella typhi. This bacteria can survive in water or sewage for several weeks and usually enters the body through faeco-oral route. This is why you should ensure that the water and food that you intake should be free from contamination. Improper sanitation can also cause this disease. When you suffer from typhoid, you will suffer from fever, headache, sore throat, pain and general illness.
The best way to stay protected is to wash your hands well before eating. Do not eat food and water that are not of best quality. Avoid street side foods during this season as these foods will not be hygiene and can increase the risk of food or water borne diseases.
Cholera:
Cholera being the most common monsoon disease is not just a diseases, it is a deadly ailment that will make you suffer at your worst. You are at high risk of suffering from cholera if you don’t practice right hygiene habits as they are mostly caused by contaminated food & water. It is spread through food & water contamination by human feces & is swiftly carried away by flies and thus is common in areas of poor sanitation. Though it can be easily cured, it might turn deadly if left untreated. It is best to drink clean food & water and it is essential for you to stay healthy and clean always.
Symptoms
- ¨ Severe diarrhea or constipation
- ¨ Vomiting or nausea
- ¨ Dehydration
- ¨ Muscle cramps due to dehydration
- ¨ Rapid weight loss
- ¨ Low blood pressure
- ¨ Loss of skin elasticity.
- ¨ Dryness in the inside of the mouth, eyelids, & nose
Jaundice:
Jaundice is yet another common monsoon disease that you are about to suffer from during rainy seasons. It is a viral disease and is caused by contaminated food & water. The common symptoms of suffering from jaundice are that you will feel extremely weak and the color of your urine changes to dark yellow. You may also develop a tendency of vomiting and improper functioning of the liver. It is best to drink boiled water and avoid eating foods from roadside streets & shops. This is the time you need to consume plenty of water and this will help your body fluid to stay absolutely normal.
Malaria:
Malaria is one of the severe diseases which were an issue of the epidemic a few years ago. Malaria is carried by female anopheles mosquito, which is an evening and early morning biter. These days the treatments for malaria have improved so much and people are finding ways to recover sooner.
Symptoms:
- Severe fever within 72 hours of the bite
- Body ache, sweating and cold symptoms
- Symptoms of diarrhea & jaundice
Water logging and breeding of mosquitoes are quite common during the monsoon season. One may be affected by malaria prone mosquitoes during the rainy seasons.
Diarrhea:
Once the summer season is gone, the weather condition improves & become soothing. This triggers us to have spicy foods. But, we fail to think of the water-borne diseases that spread during the monsoons. Water-borne diseases are common during the monsoons. Hence, you must be really careful with the food that you consume during the rainy seasons. It is better to avoid street foods as the chances of spreading diarrhea are more common with this.
Viral fever:
Viral fevers have become more common these days. Viral fever is the most common medical sign that is characterized by an elevation in temperature above the normal range of 36.5-37.5 degree Celsius. In fact, viral infections are more common than bacterial infections. It is common to see your kids suffering from viral fevers during the rainy seasons. Sometimes, these fevers may last for a few weeks. This is an indication that your child is suffering from viral infection. You must be very careful about your child’s eating habits and other day to day activities. This will make you feel feeble and weak.
Symptoms
- Fatigue
- Joint pains
- Running nose or nasal congestion
- Diarrhea
- Cough or a sore throat
- Burning sensation in eyes
- skin rashes
Viral infections are caused by invasions of various diseases causing viruses into the host’s body. These infections have the ability to affect various parts of the body at the same time. The humidity that occurs during the rainy season makes it easier for the infections to be carried from one person to another. These infections majorly affect those people with weak immune system.
Eye infections:
Eye infections caused by viruses are mild and usually resolve on their own. It includes conjunctivitis often called as pink eye. This affects the membrane that lines the inside of the eyelids & the eyelid margins.
Symptoms
- Gritty feeling in the eyes
- Swollen eyelids
- Irritation in the eyes
- Itching of the eyes
- Discharge from both eyes
- Chances of blood clots around the corner
Precautions:
- ¨ Avoid junk foods & maintain a hygienic diet.
- ¨ Take plenty of fluids
- ¨ Detect early signs of weakness to begin treatment
- ¨ Keep yourself clean & hygiene
- ¨ Make sure you wash your hands with effective disinfectant before bringing in contact with the eyes as it might cause infection
- ¨ Carry a sanitizer and apply it before the meals
Fungal infections:
Fungal infections are caused by a fungus, a type of microorganisms. Specific areas of the skin such as areas under the armpits and spaces between the two toes often remain moisture, especially during the monsoons. These become ideal grounds for such infections.
Symptoms
- Peeling, cracking, and scaling of the skin
- Redness of the skin
- Formation of blisters
- Softening or breaking down of the skin
- Itching, burning, or both
Precautions
- ¨ Keep your body dry.
- ¨ Change wet undergarments and switch to cotton ones, as they allow the skin to breathe well
- ¨ Wear sandals to air your feet
- ¨ Allow damp hair to dry before you tie them again
- ¨ Bathe twice a day and add a few drops of lemongrass, Neem or mint extracts to your bath water to fight against fungal infections
