       
 Most of us know or heard of Typhoid Mary ( Mary Mallon ) and that it's mainly spread by eating or drinking water or foods contaminated by feces or urine from an infected individual. However, back on April 25th MSNBC reported that a typhoid outbreack was traced to sex acts. This would be the nation's first sexually transmitted outbreak of typhoid fever. A Cincinnati man passed typhoid to seven other men in the city who had sex with him. He had contracted the disease while visiting Puerto Rico in May. The source is unclear as to how he originally contracted the disease. SO WHAT IS TYPHOID FEVER? It is a bacteria infection of the intestinal tract and at times the bloodstream. The germ that causes typhoid is a unique human strain of salmonella called Salmonella typhi. Above is a picture of the bacteria. Outbreaks are rare in the USA. WHO GETS TYPHOID FEVER? Anyone can but the greatest risk exist to travelers visiting countries where the disease is common such as Asia, Africa, and Latin America. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS May be mild or severe such as fever, headache, constipation or diarrhea, rose colored spots onthe trunk an enlarged spleen or liver. Relapses are common. Fatalities are less than 1 percent with antibiotic treatment according to the New York State Department of Health. HOW SOON DO SYMPTOMS APPEAR? Symptoms appear one to three weeks after exposure. HOW LONG CAN AN INFECTED PERSONCARRY THE TYPHOID GERM? The carrier stage can be from a number of days to years. 3 percent of cases go on to become lifelong carriers of the germ and often happens more in adults than in children. HOW IS TYPHOID TREATED? Specific antibiotics such as Chloramphenicol, ampicillin or ciprofloxcin. SHOULD INFECTED PEOPLE BE ISOLATED? Only people with active diarrhea who are uable to control their bowel habits should be isolated. IS THERE A VACCINE FOR TYPHOID? Yes, but usually is reserved for people travelng to underdeveloped countries where significant exposure may occur. VAMC STAFF PLEASE TAKE THE POST TEST BELOW BY CLICKING ON THE TYPHOID TEST BUTTON. TO RECIEVE CREDIT RETURN THE TEST IN MY MAIL BOX LOCATED ON WARD 4. THANKYOU!!) Don't forget to print this page. Resources for the information provided are from the links located above in the menu bar. I'd like to thank the staff who made suggestions for bug of the month even going so far as supplying data. You know who you are. THANKS!!! |
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All resources for this article were obtained thru the CDC and MSNBC library. 
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