Causes of a Typhoid Fever Relapse
Typhoid is a dangerous disease caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi. According to the National Institutes of Health, typhoid cases are rare in the United States: only about 400 cases occur each year, and 75 percent of these are acquired during travel to countries where typhoid is common 1. People who have been infected with typhoid fever in the past may experience a relapse due to several factors.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Ineffective Treatment
The Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention states that typhoid is treated using antibiotics. According to the National Institutes of Health, symptoms of typhoid may return if treatment is not completed 1. Patients who fail to complete the full course of antibiotic treatment may develop antibiotic resistance which requires stronger antibiotics. Patients should ensure that they complete taking all the doses of antibiotics prescribed for typhoid even if they begin to feel better within a few days of taking these drugs.
- The Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention states that typhoid is treated using antibiotics.
- According to the National Institutes of Health, symptoms of typhoid may return if treatment is not completed 1.
Vaccine Ineffectiveness
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According to the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, typhoid vaccines are used to prevent typhoid infection and are recommended for people who travel regularly to countries where typhoid is common. Typhoid vaccines are not 100 percent effective, and patients who fail to observe other preventative measures may become reinfected with typhoid fever. Typhoid vaccines become ineffective after several years, and people at risk require boosters every two years for inactivated vaccines, and every fives years for live oral typhoid vaccines.
Typhoid Carrier
According to Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, some people who recover from typhoid illness may continue to carry the bacteria in their bloodstream and body organs. These people are called typhoid carriers, and they continue to shed Salmonella typhi in their feces and urine. Typhoid carriers are more likely to have typhoid fever relapse because the Salmonella typhi is already present in their bodies. Typhoid carriers who contaminate food may become reinfected with typhoid if they ingest the food.
- According to Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, some people who recover from typhoid illness may continue to carry the bacteria in their bloodstream and body organs.
- Typhoid carriers are more likely to have typhoid fever relapse because the Salmonella typhi is already present in their bodies.
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References
- National Institutes of Health: Typhoid Fever
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Typhoid Fever and Paratyphoid Fever. Updated August 22, 2018.
- Bush L. Typhoid Fever. Merck Manual Consumer Version. Updated May 2018.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Typhoid Fever and Paratyphoid Fever. Updated August 22, 2018.
- UK National Health Service. Complications: Typhoid Fever. Updated June 18, 2018.
- Bush L. Typhoid Fever. Merck Manual Consumer Version. Updated May 2018.
- Marineli F, Tsoucalas G, Karamanou M, Androutsos G. Mary Mallon (1869-1938) and the history of typhoid fever. Ann Gastroenterol. 2013;26(2):132-134.
Writer Bio
Esther Kinuthia is a registered nurse with extensive experience in health and wellness. She holds a B.S. in nursing, B.A in psychology and has worked for more than ten years in the health-care field. She enjoys writing articles on a variety of topics for the Internet. Her work has been published in various websites.