Understand the Symptoms of Typhus in Children and How to Manage It

Typhoid fever, also known as typhus, is caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi or Salmonella paratyphi. These bacteria usually settle in water or food. A person can suffer from typhoid fever due to consuming food or drinks that are contaminated with these bacteria. Symptoms of typhus can come suddenly, can also come gradually over a period of several weeks. If left untreated, the symptoms of typhus will worsen over time. The worsening of the condition of untreated typhoid symptoms will be accompanied by the appearance of a rash with red spots on the chest, weight loss, and flatulence.

Symptoms of Typhoid in Children in General

Symptoms of typhus in children are the same as adults, both from the duration of the fever, the signs, and how to handle it. Symptoms of typhoid or typhoid fever can be mild or severe, depending on health conditions, age, and patient's vaccination history. Common symptoms that usually occur when a child has typhus include:
  • High fever (up to 40 ° C)
  • Stomach ache and can be accompanied by diarrhea
  • Feeling weak, tired, and body aches
  • Headache
  • Throat pain
  • Constipation
  • Loss of appetite
  • Enlarged liver and lymph
  • The appearance of a coating on the tongue
Typhoid fever in children is rare until there are complications that cause serious health problems. If it leads to complications, it is usually a digestive problem, which is a hole in the intestine. This condition is considered serious and requires immediate treatment at the hospital.

Proper handling of Typhoid Fever

If symptoms of typhoid in children have appeared, be prepared to immediately fight this disease. Treatment steps for typhoid sufferers are undertaken through two stages. The first step, the patient must get treatment at the hospital. After that, it is recommended to continue treatment at home as a second step.

Medical treatment

Typhoid treatment is medically done in a hospital. Typhoid fever patients will get treatment:

    Giving antibiotics

    When typhoid fever and typhoid symptoms occur in children, the doctor will give antibiotics for 1-2 weeks. Antibiotics are considered as a common treatment for typhoid fever in the early stages. The type of antibiotic varies, depending on the patient's condition. Take antibiotics up to the specified time limit and do not leave antibiotics that have been prescribed. If the child does not finish taking the drug, then the risk is very high, ie the disease will easily come again. After the antibiotics run out, make sure to return to the doctor for further examination.

    Hospitalization at the hospital

    If the child experiences severe symptoms such as fever up to 40 ° C or more, severe diarrhea, swollen abdomen, or constant vomiting, call your doctor immediately so that the child gets treatment at the hospital. The doctor will provide nutritional fluids through infusions and antibiotics in the form of injectable drugs. Usually the patient will recover after undergoing treatment for 3-5 days. However, to ensure full recovery, patients will be asked to continue treatment at the hospital for longer.

Home Care

In addition to undergoing typhoid fever treatment at the hospital, also do additional care at home, for example:

    Consume lots of fluids

    Give water, fruit juice, or coconut water to keep the body hydrated. The importance of this fluid intake is motivated by the condition of diarrhea and high fever which makes the body tend to become dehydrated.

    Pay attention to food intake

    Typhoid fever can cause sufferers, especially children, to experience malnutrition. Therefore, meet the nutritional needs by providing the right food. Rice, bread and bananas are some foods that are easily digested in the stomach and help relieve nausea and diarrhea. Fruit juice can also be given, provided sugar is not added. Note that sugar can worsen diarrhea. Fruits and vegetables can also be given to meet vitamin needs.

    Add honey

    Add 1-2 tablespoons of honey to warm tea, then give to children. This drink is good for helping to restore typhoid fever symptoms. In addition, honey is soothing to the irritated intestine and protecting the digestive tract. However, avoid giving honey to children under one year because of the risk of causing botulism.
Don't forget, ask your doctor first about the form of natural treatments at home so as not to conflict with medical treatment from the hospital to avoid the risk of health problems. If there are no other health problems, the symptoms of typhoid fever will generally recover in the third or fourth week. However, despite being cured, this disease can come again at any time. Therefore, monitor the cleanliness of food and drinks and when the symptoms of typhus in children appear, immediately consult a doctor for appropriate treatment.

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