Paratyphoid Fever
Paratyphoid Fever Causes
There are three known strains of Salmonella paratyphi that cause Paratyphoid fever. These are S. paratyphi A, S. hirschfeldii, and S. schottmuelleri.
Paratyphoid Fever Definition
Paratyphoid fevers is also otherwise known as Enteric fevers. These composed a group of enteric illnesses often stimulated by bacterium Salmonella paratyphi strains. The three species of the Salmonellae which is known to have caused paratyphoid are Salmonella paratyphi A, S. schotmulleri, and S. paratyphi C or S. hirschfeldii. The species are usually transmitted through contact with the contaminated water and food. Paratyphoid fever is also similar to typhoid fever in some aspects but with more benign course.
Paratyphoid Fever Diagnosis
The diagnosis of Paratyphoid fever is mostly done basing on history of recent travel and also repeated culturing of the organism causing the fever. Cultures are reproduced from samples of bone marrow, urine, blood, and stool.
Paratyphoid Fever Symptoms and Signs
Paratyphoid fever is often associated with high fever, constipation or diarrhea, headache, vomiting, and loss of appetite. The patient will also typically develop enlarged spleen. Some patients also manifest rose spots on the chest especially during the first week of acquiring the disease. These spots will then develop into minute hemorrhages.
Paratyphoid Fever Treatment
Use of antibiotics is often employed to treat the illness while patients manifesting intestinal perforation or even hemorrhage are advised to undergo surgery. Much supportive care is required for the patient to recover from the illness.