Typhoid fever is a life-threatening infection caused by Salmonella typhi, usually spread through contaminated food or water.
Body weakness, stomach aches, headaches, diarrhoea, or constipation, among others, are some of the symptoms accompanied by the infection.
Senior Medical Officer, and Clinical Director of Westside Medical Center, Dr. Dennis Puganga, speaking on Spice 91.9 FM, urged the public to be cautious especially when purchasing foods from street vendors as the infection is highly contagious.
Dr Puganga notes that practicing personal hygiene is one of the preventive measures to curtail the infection.
“This infection is very contagious, especially amongst food vendors who handle food. They normally spread it through food preparation, so people should pay attention to the hygienic practices in their homes and surroundings.
Food vendors should periodically test for typhoid to be sure they are not carriers of the infection.”
Individuals are advised to consult a medical officer or visit the health centre when they begin feeling symptoms of typhoid.
” The good news is typhoid is treatable, and people who get infected should endeavour to visit the hospital. “
Individuals are also entreated to wash their hands after visiting places of convenience to avoid contracting typhoid.
He noted again that the infection is prevalent in the region, indicating that about 18, 000 – 20,000 cases are recorded annually.
