High-grade Fever with Pain in Tummy and Vomiting: May be Typhoid

Cases of typhoid fever are up during rainy season due to poor public health measures. Sanitation-wise filthy cities, uncovered and unwashed food stuffs are hazardous for travelers since typhoid infection is food borne. Typhoid fever is caused by bacteria known as Salmonella typhi or Salmonella paratyphi. There are two strains of Salmonella paratyphi, known as Salmonella paratyphi-A & Salmonella paratyphi-B. High-grade fever with pain in tummy associated with vomiting may be typhoid. Fever may rise upto 106^o F creating a scare in the family but never panic and call a physician or take the patient to the hospital. For an accurate diagnosis, germs of typhoid can be grown from the blood (Blood Culture Test) of the patient. However, there are some viral fevers which may mimic the symptoms of typhoid. If untreated, typhoid may lead to dire complications like perforation of intestine, hemorrhage (bleeding) and sudden bacterial shock. My contention is not to horrify people by citing the manifestations of this disease but spread awareness about prevention and timely treatment of it.

Science has enabled us to diagnose and treat typhoid effectively with antibiotics. Patient may be treated at home or at a hospital. But complete course of the recommended antibiotics should be taken to avoid relapse. Other members of Salmonella family (Salmonella paratyphi-A & Salmonella paratyphi-B) producing paratyphoid fevers and food-poisoning can also be treated well with antibiotics. Bacteria of Salmonella family are facultative bacteria and carriers of the disease continue passing the germs in their stool and urine.

Prevention is always better than cure and till we catch-up on community prevention; individual prophylaxis has to be very tight through vaccination. TAB vaccine is used worldwide to acquire protection against bacteria of Salmonella family. A variety of antibiotics are available to treat typhoid fever. Many countries have eradicated indigenous typhoid through meticulous and efficient public health measures. However, people traveling abroad are advised to get shots of TAB vaccine and cholera vaccine.

Tips to fight Malabsorption Syndrome

Normally our body has the ability to digest the food we eat and absorb the nutrients form it. Over 9 meters long alimentary canal helps to accomplish the function of digestion and absorption. Malabsorption syndrome could be defined as the inability of our body to absorb essential nutrients from the food. Malabsorption syndrome can affect any person irrespective of age and gender. It may lead to a variety of deficiencies like that of vitamins, minerals, proteins, fatty acids and other nutrients. The associated cause may be digestive or dietary deficiency. The factors that contribute to cause the malabsorption syndrome may be adoption of dieting schedules for reducing weight, habitual & excessive intake of alcohol, food allergies, a diet deficient in B-vitamins and diseases of the digestive organs like pancreas and liver. Intestinal malfunction caused due to excessive use of antibiotics and/or laxatives can also lead to malabsorption syndrome.

Symptoms of Malabsorption Syndrome:

1. Fatigue and weight loss. However, some obese persons may also have malabsorption syndrome.
2. Recurrent diarrhoea and constipation.
3. Persistent abdominal discomfort with gas and bloating.
4. Unpredictable appetite.
5. Treatment of above cited conditions with a variety of medicine further complicate the problem.

Some complications of Malabsorption Syndrome:

1. Anemia and thinning & falling of hair.
2. Muscular cramps.
3. Psychological & behavioral changes.
4. Menstrual problems in female patients.

Tips to fight Malabsorption Syndrome:

1. Adopt dietary discipline in terms of quality, quantity and timings of intake.
2. Avoid fried and starchy foods.
3. Avoid excessive intake of alcohol.
4. Avoid too cold or too hot and preserved foodstuffs.
5. Avoid over medication with antibiotics.
6. Take spicy curd or buttermilk as it supports the intestinal flora and stimulates the secretion of digestive juices.
7. Seasonal and fresh fruits should be taken in between the regular meals.
8. Take medicines and food supplements as advised by your physician.