Typhoid

Typhoid fever is most prevalent in the developing countries of Asia like Africa, India, caused by a gram-negative bacterium Salmonella Typhi. It is a transmitted communicable disease caused by consuming contaminated food and impure water. The incubation period of this disease is from 7 to 14 days.

We have discussed various important points which include Ayurvedic aspects, symptoms, causes, useful herbs and some effective herbal and home remedies which can help a patient to cure the typhoid disease.

Typhoid is a bacterial infection which is caused by Salmonella typhi bacteria. The bacteria live in the intestine or bloodstream of humans. Typhoid is a highly contagious disease. The infection is passed through contaminated food and water; it is more spread in places where hand washing is less frequent. Some people carry the bacteria without developing their symptoms.

Urbanization and climate change have the potential to increase the burden of typhoid globally. In developing areas of Africa, South-East Asia, the Americas, and the Western Pacific regions, the disease continues to be a public health problem. WHO estimates the global typhoid fever disease burden at 11-20 million cases annually, resulting in about 128000-161000 deaths per year. ¹

Ayurveda is a holistic approach to health and personalized medicine. It is one of the oldest medical systems. Ayurveda believes in the balance between mind, body, and soul. This balance is maintained by maintaining a balance between Dosha (Vata, Pitta, Kapha). Each dosha has dominating factors like Air is a dominating factor of Vata, fire is a dominating factor of Pitta, and water is a dominating factor of Kapha.

According to Ayurveda typhoid is known as “Manthar Jawar”. Food and water which is contaminated by infected Mala (stool), Mutra (urine), Saweda (sweating). Eating this contaminated food and water bacteria enters the body and starts growing in the intestine and enters in the intestine walls. Which starts imbalance the Rasa, Rakta, and Dosha then it affects the end part of the small intestine. If it is not treated it can create a hole in the intestine. If this damage increases patients start excreting blood mix stool.

• Bacteria: Typhoid is caused by bacteria name as Salmonella typhi.
• Oral transmission route: the bacteria that cause typhoid spreads through contaminated food or water and occasionally through direct contact with someone infected. The majority of people in industrialized countries pick up typhoid bacteria while travelling and spread it to others through faceable route.

2nd week symptoms

• Hyperpyrexia
• Delirium (mental confusion)
• Drowsiness (feeling sleepy)
• Cough
• Furrowed tongue, dry with reddish coloration
• Weakness
• Dryness of mouth
• Restleness
• Flatulence
• Dicrotic pulse
• Blood mixed stool

1st week symptoms

• Hyperpyrexia  [103 F-104.9 F (40.5C)]
• Splenomegaly
• Tongue coated & reddish
• Flatulence
• Constipation
• Red spots on neck, abdomen & chest area

At 3rd week fever if it is left untreated

• Excessive bleeding
• Increased pulse rate
• Acute pain in abdomen
• Tendency of raised body temperature during morning hours and night
• Generalised  peritonitis
• Excessive weakness
• Tremors in hands &feet
• Intestinal bleeding

Typhoid fever remains a serious threat especially in the developing world. Worldwide, children are at greatest risk of getting the disease; they generally have milder symptoms than adults do.

• In contact with someone infected.
• Poor hygiene
• Some places have higher incidence of typhoid which includes Africa, India, South America, and Southeast Asia.
• People also get this bacteria from contaminated water or food
• Typhoid infection occurs in school kids and young adults.
• Common in people who consume outside food.
• Incidence of this infection occurs in between July to September.

Typhoid cause most severe complication is the development of perforation in the intestine, which can lead to the contents of intestine leak into the abdominal cavity. It may also result in internal bleeding. Other less common complication includes:

• Intestinal tuberculosis
• Toxaemia (blood poisoning by toxins from a bacterial infection )
• Haemorrhage (bleeding from ruptured blood vessel)
• Peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum)
• Intestinal perforation (a hole forms through the stomach)
• Nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys)

Diagnosis can be made any blood, bone marrow or stool cultures and with the Widal test.

1. Widal Test: Widal test is used to identify specific antibodies in the serum of people with typhoid by using antigen-antibody interaction.
2. Typhidot: The test is based on the presence of specific IgM and IgG antibodies. This test is carried out on a cellulose nitrate membrane where a specific S.typhi outer membrane protein is attached as fixed test lines.
3. Tubex Test: Contains two types of particles brown magnetic particles coated with antigen and blue indicators particles coated with O9 antibody.

1. Giloy

Giloy botanical name is Tinospora cordifolia. Giloy is useful to reduce Ama (toxins) and other microbes that are responsible for causing fever and other infections. Giloy contains various properties like an antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and immune-stimulating herb. This herb contains chemical compounds like Berberine, tinosporin, palmetin, mangoflorine, ethanol which is beneficial in every kind of fever and infection.

2. Tulsi

Tulsi botanical name is Ocimum sanctum. Tulsi plant has many medicinal properties. The leaves are nerve tonic and help sharpen memory. The leaves of tulsi are used in many specific fevers. In the case of acute fevers, a decoction of the leaves boiled with cardamom powder in half a liter of water and mixed with sugar and milk will help in bringing down the temperature.

3. Curcuma (Haldi)

Curcuma botanical name is Curcuma longa. Curcuma helps in blood purifier which helps in removing toxins from the body. It helps in stimulating digestive fire and helps in every type of fever.

The good news is that Typhoid is preventable and reversible, but can only be possible by using holistic approach, the one advocated in Ayurveda that addresses the issues from the very root.

Since ancient times, Ayurveda has defined diseases with their symptoms, causes and healing methods with nature.

If you are having any of the above mentioned symptoms, don’t assume it is Typhoid yet without any proper diagnosis because there are other body related diseases that comes with the same symptoms. Consult with a Doctor for accurate diagnosis to find out if Typhoid is what you are having or any other related disease.

As a holistic health clinic, we take accurate diagnosis very seriously in order to ascertain the root cause of a particular illness. You will be consulted with our doctor to know the type of test or scan to run base on your symptoms to detect exactly the root cause of your issue to ascertain if Typhoid is your issue or not to ensure appropriate treatment.

Accurate diagnosis is the key to the treatment of any disease.

We can really help you out of the issue!

Contact us for your accurate diagnosis or for any issues