Typhus in Children: Recognize Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and Prevention

Did you know, Parents, that the symptoms of typhoid in children are similar to many other diseases?

ParentsmustBe alert if your little one currently has a fever and looks very weak, especially if his muscles feel sore and a rash appears on several parts of his body.

Immediately check with a doctor, because it could be that it is not a common fever, but rather typhus. 

How to recognize typhoid symptoms in children and how to treat it? Read this article until the end,Parents.

What is Typhus or Typhus Disease?

Typhus or typhus is a disease that often occurs during the rainy season and must be watched out for, especially in children.

Typhus in children is generally caused by bacteria that are usually found in contaminated food, namely Salmonella typhi .

The bacteria can also come from small animals such as mice, cats or squirrels which are then carried by humans through their clothes, skin or hair.

A person can also become infected with this disease through the bite of a tick or mite infected with rickettsia or orientia bacteria. 

Children who consume contaminated food can develop this disease more severely, especially if their immune system is weak. 

This disease is quite common, especially in developing countries like Indonesia.

National Health Serviceseven wrote data stating that there are around 200,000 people who die from this disease every year throughout the world.

Especially in parts of Africa, South America and Asia, where living standards and hygiene levels are still poor.

Therefore, it is very important to maintain personal and environmental hygiene to avoid typhoid fever.

What are the Types of Typhus in Children?

There are three main types of typhus, each caused by a different bacteria. Here’s the explanation, according to the pageWebMD .

1. Murine Typhus

Transmitted by fleas to humans if the flea bites an infected animal, especially rats.

Most of the cases in the US have been reported in California, Hawaii, and Texas.

Accompanying symptoms are cough , loss of appetite, nausea, stomach ache and vomiting.

2. Epidemic Typhus

Epidemic typhus is a rare variety spread by infected body lice.

This type of typhus is spread by infected flying squirrels. However, it is also very rare.

The accompanying symptoms are that the sufferer becomes confused, coughs, breathes faster than usual, feels nauseous and vomits.

3. Scrub Typhus

Distributed bychiggersor infected mites, and are commonly found in rural parts of Southeast Asia, China, Japan, India, and Northern Australia.

Accompanying symptoms include feelings of confusion (as experienced by people with mental disorders), dark scabs in the area where the chigger (mite) bit, and swollen lymph nodes.

What Causes Typhus in Children?

When insects and other parasites spread through bites, they leave feces containing bacteria on the skin.

When you scratch an itchy insect bite, it can spread infected dirt to open bite wounds or other wounds on the surface of your skin.

Then transfers the typhoid bacteria into your bloodstream – occurs in infectious diseases.murine typhusand epidemic typhus .

While on the typescrub typhus, even if you don’t scratch an infected mite bite, the bacteria the mite carries can stick to your skin and infect you.

How is Typhus Diagnosed in Children?

Diagnosis of typhoid fever, citingHealthline, it may be difficult to do because the symptoms are also common in other infectious diseases, namely symptoms such as:

Dengue fever is also known as breakbone fever. Malaria , infectious disease spread by mosquitoes. Brucellosis, an infectious disease caused by the Brucella species of bacteria.

Sometimes it takes weeks for doctors to get blood test results.

. So to temporarily treat the symptoms, the doctor will advise the patient to immediately start antibiotic treatment to be safe and to ensure that only the patient is really suffering from typhus.

These diagnostic tests include: 

Skin biopsy, a test on a sample of the rash on the skin which will then be tested in a laboratory. Western blot, a blood test to identify the presence of typhus. Immunofluorescence test , which is a test using fluorescent dye to detect typhus antigens in serum samples taken from the patient’s bloodstream.  Other blood tests whose results may indicate the presence of infection.

In addition, the doctor will also check your recent activities, where you traveled before finally being infected with typhoid.

Who is at risk of getting typhus infection?

A person will be at greater risk of being infected with typhus if:

Traveling to areas where typhoid infections are more common.  Spending time in very crowded conditions, especially near animals or in environments with poor hygiene. Coming into contact with fleas, either from pets or from wild animals, such as rodents. Having lice on his body or hair. Have recently hiked or camped in an area with tall brush where chiggers are common.

People who experience typhoid symptoms and have one or more of the above risk factors should immediately visit a doctor to check their condition.

It is important to tell your doctor about all of your specific symptoms and any risk factors you have.

Because the symptoms of this disease are almost the same as the symptoms of other viral diseases, such as colds and flu.

Your information will be very helpful to the doctor in making a diagnosis.

What are the Symptoms of Typhus or Typhus in Children?

Typhoid fever in children can last a very long time, namely 3-4 weeks with an incubation period of around 1-2 weeks .

Some symptoms of typhoid in children that you should be aware of include:

Fever  High fever of around 40 degrees Celsius which is constant Severe headache Pain in the chest and abdomen, or throughout the body like you have the flu Persistent diarrhea Back pain Extreme fatigue and tiredness Dry cough is also a symptom of typhoid in children. There is weight loss A dark, spotty rash appears on the chest that can spread to the rest of the body (except the face, palms of the hands and soles of the feet), the rash appears a few days after other symptoms begin. Appetite is getting worse day by day

Children who do not experience complications will usually show better changes in the 3rd or 4th week.

However, there are also children who can experience it again after feeling healthy for 1-2 weeks.

Therefore, typhoid sufferers are strongly advised to rest completely – for several weeks afterwards – even if the doctor has declared them cured .

Because, if you are not careful, this disease can recur or cause complications.

How to Treat Typhus?

In many cases, typhoid can be treated by taking antibiotics , the prescription of which is given by the doctor according to the condition of the patient.

Medical News Todayexplains, doxycycline is a type of antibiotic that is usually used to treat all types of typhus.

The sooner a patient takes this antibiotic, the quicker the recovery rate – doxycycline also works quickly on other types of illnesses. 

These antibiotics need to be taken for 7 to 10 days – some people may need to take them longer.

Most people will start to feel better within 48 hours of starting treatment.

And remember, finish the antibiotics prescribed by your doctor, even if you feel better and are declared healthy.

If you are allergic to doxycycline or your illness does not get better, your doctor will usually prescribe other types of antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and chloramphenicol for patients who are not pregnant or breastfeeding.

What are the Complications of Typhus or Typhus in Children?

In many cases, typhus can lead to complications of intestinal bleeding or perforated intestines. This condition is certainly fatal and endangers the health of children.

A leaky gut can cause severe symptoms, ranging from nausea, vomiting, to sepsis or bloodstream infection. 

In addition, there is also the possibility of other serious complications, if typhoid in children is not treated seriously, including:

Pneumonia or infection of the lungs that causes inflammation and swelling of the lungs, also known as wet lungs Myocarditis or inflammation of the heart muscle Endocarditis or inflammation of the lining and valves of the heart Pancreatitis or inflammation of the pancreas Damage or infection to the kidneys or bladder Meningitis , which is an infection that causes inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord.  Enlarged spleen Psychological problems such as hallucinations and paranoia Septic shock which then results in low blood pressure Internal bleeding Liver damage How to Prevent Typhus in Children?

Until now there is no vaccine that can prevent typhus.

So there is no other way than to do prevention yourself, one of which is by maintaining personal hygiene. 

To reduce the risk of typhoid infection in children, there are steps that mothers can take at home.

These steps are:

1. Avoid Raw Foods

Even if it has been washed or stored properly, we never know whether the water used for washing or the food storage container used has been infected with bacteria or not.

Therefore, make sure your little one does not consume raw or undercooked food.

2. Choose Freshly Cooked Food

When parents are taking their little ones out to eat, make sure that the food they consume is hot food that has just been cooked or processed.

Because, there is no guarantee that food stored at room temperature is not contaminated with bacteria or viruses.

3. Make a habit of washing your hands

After doing any activity or before eating, get your little one used to washing their hands using soap and running water, especially after they have held animals.

It seems simple, but this good habit can slightly reduce the possibility of your child being contaminated by dangerous bacteria that cause typhoid in children, Mom.

4. Drink Processed Water

Your little one’s immune system is still vulnerable, so you need to pay attention to their water consumption.

On the other hand, water can keep your little one from dehydration .

Choose drinking water that is safe and not contaminated with bacteria, so it is important to consume water that has been processed and sterilized.

5. Change Clothes

How many times does your little one change his clothes, Mom?

Try to pay attention and make sure you apply this to your child:

Avoid wearing the same clothes every day , especially when your little one has been out and about. This is important to prevent bacteria left on their clothes from entering the living area or their room and infecting other family members. Wash clothes immediately. After returning from a place where there is a risk of typhus infection (where there are many mites and lice), wash your family’s clothes immediately. It is recommended that you wash clothes that have just been used for traveling in warm water at least 130°F or 39.5°C.  Wear appropriate clothing. Such as wearing long sleeves, long pants, and socks when camping to prevent chigger bites . Chiggers like to hide in tents or dense grass. 6. Follow the Doctor’s Advice

If your child has typhoid and is advised to finish the antibiotics, it’s best to do so, Mom.

This is of course to prevent typhoid infection from coming back into the body.

What are the Natural Remedies for Typhus Symptoms in Children?

This disease is completely treatable and can be treated at home depending on the child’s condition and under the guidance of a doctor.

Well, here we will discuss some time-tested home remedies for typhoid.

1. Increase Fluid Intake

To prevent dehydration, keep your little one drinking fluids. Because staying hydrated also helps eliminate toxins from the body in a timely manner.

Apart from water, you can give your child fruit juice, coconut water and soup.

2. Use a Cold Compress

To treat high fever, use a cold compress to lower your child’s temperature.

You can rub your armpits, feet, groin, and hands with a washcloth soaked in cold water. 

3. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar can actually help maintain the proper pH in the body.

This ingredient is also able to remove heat from the skin and therefore, it is good for reducing body temperature.

Moms only need to mix one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in water, then add honey if necessary.

After that, you can give the drink to your little one before eating.

4. Pomegranate

Pomegranate is an effective home remedy against typhoid. It can help in preventing dehydration.

In addition, you can give your child pomegranates in fruit form or processed into juice.

5. Orange

Oranges are a fruit that has a large number of vitamins, minerals and important nutrients.

Therefore, this fruit can help replenish your child’s body with the nutrients needed to get through a fever.

In addition, its water content can also help reduce dehydration. 

How is the Recovery Process for Typhus in Children?

Signs that a child will recover from typhoid are:

Symptoms disappear on their own after about 5-7 days. Typhus does not get worse The fever started to go down and the rash got better. The child no longer looks lethargic and fussy Heart rate and breathing return to normal

However, it is important to take the medicine for the full time your doctor has prescribed, even if your child feels better .

If you stop too soon, it is feared that some bacteria may remain.

Therefore, children with typhoid fever should stay at home until the disease is completely cured and the doctor ensures that the bacteria are gone.

In addition, don’t forget to always maintain cleanliness and ventilation for children.

Also, make sure your child has plenty of fluids and adequate nutrition.

Popular Questions Regarding Typhus in Children 1. What are the characteristics of a child with typhus?

Once your child is infected it usually takes 1 to 3 weeks for symptoms to develop.

The disease begins slowly with fever, chills, and body temperature reaching 39 to 40 degrees Celsius.

Other symptoms that mothers should be aware of include headaches, loss of appetite, fatigue, rashes on the child’s chest and stomach, diarrhea, and confusion.

If you think your little one is experiencing the above symptoms, see a doctor immediately to confirm the disease he is suffering from.

2. What should you do if your child has typhoid?

When your child has typhoid, you will often worry and try to find out what to do to treat it.

Therefore, it is important to know how to care for children at home.

Such as, how to properly reduce a child’s fever and what foods and drinks are good for typhoid.

In addition, don’t forget to consult first regarding the medicine that will be given to your little one.

3. How long does typhoid last in children?

Most children begin to feel better within 2 to 3 days of starting treatment.

It is important to keep giving your child antibiotics until they are finished, even if they seem to be getting better.

4. What can you not eat with typhoid?

Avoid all foods that are high in fiber because they are difficult to digest and put pressure on the child’s digestive system.

This is because patients will experience stomach ache or diarrhea during typhoid.

Apart from that, mothers are also not advised to give their little ones raw fruit and vegetables, oats, nuts and seeds.

Also, spicy and high-fat foods should be limited during typhoid.

5. What should you drink to get better quickly from typhoid?

Coconut water, orange juice, pomegranate juice, watermelon juice along with 8 glasses of water daily helps in faster recovery.

However, it is advisable to have boiled water to prevent the risk of re-infection.

6. Can children with typhoid drink milk?

Typhus sufferers can consume milk. However, please note that mothers must boil the milk properly before consuming it.

This aims to reduce the possibility of bacterial attack.

7. Do children with typhoid need to be treated?

Children who suffer from typhoid can actually be treated at home if the symptoms they experience are not severe.

However, if the child has an uncontrolled fever, the rash does not improve after 3 days, and diarrhea, hospitalization is usually recommended.

8. Can typhoid children be bathed?

Experts say that bathing children with typhoid is a way to help them lower their body temperature and clean off any bacteria left on their skin.

And it is better for you to bathe your little one with warm water. Otherwise, his body temperature may rise again.

***

Those are the symptoms and ways to prevent typhus in children, Mom.

Immediately take your little one to the doctor if he/she experiences the symptoms mentioned above.

Also take recommended precautions to avoid typhoid exposure and complications.

Hopefully this article is useful, yes!

Typhus
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/typhus/

Typhus
https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-typhus

Typhus
https://www.healthline.com/health/typhus

What to know about typhus
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327505

Typhoid Fever
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/typhoid.html

Typhoid fever
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/typhoid-fever/symptoms-causes/syc-20378661

Republished with permission from theAsianParent Indonesia