Everything you need to know about typhoid fever
Over the past week, more and more cases of typhoid fever have been reported in South Africa. Dr Henry du Plooy from Intercare Irene weighed in on everything we need to know.
Over the past week, more cases of typhoid fever have been reported in the country.
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) announced that there are a few cases of enteric fever (commonly known as typhoid fever) in certain provinces like the Western Cape and Gauteng.
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Dr Henry du Plooy spoke to Breakfast with Martin Bester about the current typhoid fever situation.
"If you have normal diarrhoea it doesn't mean that you have typhoid fever. If you have a fever you might have to go see the doctor," Dr du Plooy said.
"I don't think people need to panic at the moment. In the next three weeks, we will see if it's an outbreak."
What is typhoid fever?
The disease is usually spread through contaminated water or food. Once the bacteria has been ingested, it multiplies and enters the bloodstream and intestinal tract.
What are the symptoms?
People with typhoid fever will have the following symptoms: prolonged high fever, fatigue, headache, nausea, abdominal pain, and constipation or diarrhoea.
How can typhoid fever be treated?
Patients can treat the disease by taking antibiotics as prescribed by health professionals.
Washing hands with soap and water after using the bathroom or preparing food is important.
Tune in to the 'Breakfast with Martin Bester', weekdays from 06:00 - 09:00. Stream the show live here or download our mobile app here.
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