A joke is told that the dirtier the venue, the sweeter the ‘Rolex (A fast food delicacy made of omelet and chapatti)!’ Watch out though, the

 next time you go shopping for those mouth watering goodies, especially near a sewage overflow, typhoid might just be your lot.
Typhoid fever is an illness associated with fever that is most often caused by bacteria called Salmonella typhi. This bacteria gains access to our bodies through eating food or drinking water, contaminated with human feaces. It may be solid or liquid waste (sewerage).
These bacteria get to our water sources or food when; human waste is carelessly disposed off, say in bushes or gardens, sewerage spills over to wells, fresh food markets, make-shift restaurants, and infected persons ignore washing their hands after using the toilet.
A person with Typhoid may present with symptoms like; poor appetite, abdominal pain, fever, headache, intestinal bleeding, generalized body aches, or general weakness. It takes about one to two weeks from the point of infection for the bacteria to cause these symptoms and if not treated the resulting complications can be fatal. About 3%-5% of patients become carriers of the bacteria after the acute illness. They may have no symptoms but can be a source of new outbreaks of typhoid for many years.
It is therefore important to limit the spread of this disease by;
l Disposing off human waste in toilets or latrines
l Ensuring proper treatment and drainage of sewerage
l Washing hands with soap and water after using a toilet or latrine
l Washing fruits or vegetables before serving them (may use vinegar for vegetables eaten raw).
l Washing hands with soap and water before preparing or serving food.
l Regular Typhoid -screening for food handlers in restaurants and schools.
l Early treatment and completion of antibiotic doses.
l Eat foods that have been thoroughly cooked and are still hot.
l Only drink water that has been boiled or bottled water

Some signs and symptoms of typhoid fever

l High fever
l Malaise (achiness and weakness)
l Change in stool output such as            constipation and diarrhea
lA flat ras of dark pink spots

The writer is a clinical officer at the Allan Galpin Medical Centre.