Typhoid in Babies – Causes, Symptoms & Treatments You Should Be Aware Of
Babies are born delicate and are vulnerable to many diseases. So, it is mandatory to follow appropriate sanitary and hygiene standards and protect the baby from getting ill. There are many types of diseases that a baby can get infected with, one of which is typhoid. Typhoid is known to spread due to unhygienic and contaminated surroundings. It is a disease in which one gets a fever, which is caused due to a bacterium.
Thus, it is important to be very careful if the baby shows any signs of typhoid and get it treated immediately as it could also be fatal if not treated at the right time. Since it is caused mainly due to the bacteria that develop in an unclean, contaminated and dirty environment, one can prevent the bacteria fostering by keeping the surroundings clean, and this disease has been eradicated in most of the countries, t there are some underdeveloped and developing ones where it still exists and is threatening to life.
Going forward, we will be learning about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, complications, options for its treatment, the vaccination for the same, and the measures that can be taken to prevent the same.
Typhoid in Babies – Facts and Causes:
Typhoid no doubt is a dangerous and life-threatening disease so should be treated on time. Even though it is dangerous, yet the reasons behind its occurrence can be controlled as well. The important factors that lead to typhoid are:
- It gets communicated by water and food and is a communicable disease and can spread in no time.
- It is always important to keep one clean, and this includes frequently washing the hands of yourself and baby’s so that the bacteria cannot get transmitted from one to another.
Symptoms of Typhoid in Babies:
Infants who suffer from typhoid cannot become sick suddenly and not exhibit many symptoms. The symptoms usually start showing after a lapse of three or four weeks from the time the child caught the infection. Enlisted below are some very familiar indicators of typhoid, d they are:
In the First Week:
- The baby can show signs of low temperature in the body and can rise to 103-104 degrees F.
- The child can show symptoms of diarrhea, body rashes, or dry cough.
- The baby can suffer from headaches, body aches, stomach ache, weakness, and loss of appetite.
- Since the baby is too small, all signs he can exhibit is of crying continually.
In the Second Week:
- In case the baby has not been treated in the initial week, the situation can get worse
- The fever can continue to be very high, with acute constipation or loose motions.
- The baby can end up losing too much weight.
- The area near the abdomen of the baby can look swollen or even bloated.
In the Third Week:
- The third week can show many health complications in babies.
- The situation could be fatal, as well.
- The child can show excessive signs of tiredness.
- In case, sleeping much or not able to sit every time he feels drowsy, could state him suffering from typhoid.
Diagnosis of Typhoid:
- On-time diagnosis of typhoid is important for protecting the baby against any threats.
- If not diagnosed for a good time, it even results in organ failure, permanent loss of hair, and even death.
- In case the child exhibits fever, which lasts for almost a week and looks rather sleepy or exhausted, the doctor needs to be informed about the same.
- The doctor advises blood and stool test with culturing in a few cases as well.
- With the help of a blood test, one can trace the antibodies that can further be made use for analysis.
What Are the Complications A Typhoid Can Cause?
What Are the Complications A Typhoid Can Cause
Typhoid which is a dangerous and life-threatening disease can even trigger many other health problems, which are:
- Kidney or gall bladder infections
- Pancreas inflammation
- Pneumonia
- Gall bladder getting infected
- Burning sensation in the heart muscles
- burning in the lining of the heart
- Inflammation and infection in the membrane that surrounds the brain or the spinal cord are also referred to as meningitis.
- Hallucination
Treatment Options:
This fatal disease needs to be treated immediately, d it can only be done only after the analysis is done and the ailment is checked as well as confirmed. Many treatment options that can be applied and some of them are:
- The doctor will prescribe antibiotics and give the child after assessing all the indicators.
- After giving the antibiotics, it is also important to examine its effect on the baby for some days until the situation becomes better.
- The baby suffering from typhoid needs ample amount of rest, with food that is light and full of nutrition. It is important to assure that the recovery period is the best.
- It is important to uphold proper health and hygiene yardsticks to affirm that it does not relapse.
Typhoid Vaccine for Babies:
If the baby is given proper vaccines at the appropriate time, the baby gets protection against all infections that can be caused by bacteria. Typhoid is a very common disease and more commonly found in countries such as India, New Guinea, and Southeast Asia. The baby has greater threats in case parents are planning to travel with the baby to any of these countries.
The typhoid vaccination is usually of two kinds:
- The Injected Vaccine – This type of vaccine is given to the children when they are 2 years or more.
- The Oral Vaccines- The oral vaccination or typhoid is given to the child who is above 6 years in age.
Both the above- mentioned vaccines provide a shield and protection for the first 3 years. Thus, it is important to assure that the vaccine that is given should last for some time and if the period from the last vaccine is less then one should seek at re-vaccinating the child for the same.
Preventive Measures:
Prevention is better than cure, and as the famous quote reads, one should take all possible measures to fight the diseases. Vaccination is, however, the best bet to get protected from getting typhoid, but certain other measures can be taken as well:
- Always give clean water that is boiled and cooled to the baby.
- If the baby is breastfed until about 2 years, the immunity system becomes stronger.
- When giving solids to the baby, be sure to wash fruits as well as vegetables totally.
- Give healthy and nutritious food to the baby.
- Ensure cleanliness of the house and make sure to keep the hands clean before and after eating by washing them with soap and water and wiping them.
- Never give food that is not properly cooked food to the baby.
- Make sure the visitors also maintain cleanliness standards.
Thus, it is heart wrecking to see the child suffer from typhoid, yet its prevention and cure lie in our hand. Apart from that, one should get vaccines done at the right time with proper standards of hygiene and cleanliness maintained. In case the child shows symptoms that worsen up, seek the medical practitioner’s help immediately.
Source: https://www.beingtheparent.com/typhoid-in-babies-causes-symptoms-treatments-you-should-be-aware-of/
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