Food sustains life but occasionally food threatens life. This is when the food is contaminated with dangerous bacteria. A good example is typhoid fever.

Typhoid fever is caused by the bacteria, Salmonella typhi, which are found in the stools of an infected person. We can get typhoid fever by eating food or drinking water contaminated with the stools. Typhoid fever can also be spread through drinking water that has been contaminated by sewage.

Typhoid fever must be given immediate medical attention as it can be life-threatening. Let’s take a look at its symptoms, which usually appear 7 – 14 days after exposure to the bacteria.
• Fever as high as 40°C or 104°F and which may linger for up to 4 weeks.
• Chills
• Headache
• Weakness
• Stomach pains, Constipation or Diarrhoea
• Pink rash on abdomen and chest during the second week of illness

If not treated promptly, intestinal bleeding may occur. The bacteria can also penetrate the intestinal wall to enter the bloodstream and then travel to other parts of the body, causing infections. If left untreated, typhoid fever may last for weeks or months and can be fatal. But with proper treatment, the patient can recover fully in 2 or 3 weeks.

Now, let’s see how we can prevent typhoid fever.

• Wash hands after using the toilet, before preparing and eating food, after changing diapers or after coming into contact with stools.
• Have separate pairs of rubber gloves for washing toilets and for kitchen work.
• Drink boiled water and only consume ice made from boiled water.
• Cook food thoroughly.
• Wash foods to be eaten raw such as fruits and vegetables properly.
• If you are traveling to countries where sanitation is not good and where the risk of water contamination is high, get vaccinated beforehand. For full protection, complete your vaccination at least a week before traveling.