Typhoid is an acute illness caused by a bacterial infection. The bacteria that causes this fever is Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi bacteria. The other bacterium that also causes typhoid is Salmonella paratyphi, and fever due to this bacterium is less severe as compared to the first type. This fever is contracted by eating food or drinking water contaminated by the bacterium. The bacterium is capable of surviving in water or dried sewage for a number of weeks.

In the country, there has been a steady decline in the number of incidences of typhoid since the early 1990s. During the 1990s, tens of thousands of typhoid cases were reported. After implementing strict environmental sanitation measures, the country was able to contain the spread of the disease significantly, and there are less than 400 cases reported every year currently.

Symptoms of typhoid
The incubation period for typhoid is 1-2 weeks, and the illness lasts for 3-4 weeks. The common symptoms are:

• Loss of appetite
• General body aches and pains
• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Very high fever (as high as 104 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Lethargy
• fatigue

In some people, there are other symptoms such as abdominal pain or discomfort. Around 10% of those affected by typhoid fever have chances of recurrence; relapse is more common in the case of people treated with antibiotics.

Home remedies for typhoid
Antibiotic medication is prescribed for treating typhoid. In addition to medical treatment, taking up home remedies can help in managing the symptoms of typhoid:

• Staying hydrated : This is an important factor for a person suffering from typhoid. Body temperatures reach very high levels when affected by this disease, which is why it is important to keep oneself hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids.
• Following a healthy diet : This is also important during typhoid. People may develop several nutritional deficiencies during this time, so a well-balanced, healthy diet is essential. Avoiding spices and excessive oil in the diet helps in managing the symptoms.
• Herbal treatment : Grinding together basil leaves, saffron, and black pepper into a paste and having small portions of it every day with lukewarm water is a home remedy for typhoid.
• Cloves : Drinking a solution of cloves boiled in water is beneficial to treating typhoid.
• Guava tree leaves : Grind 5-7 fresh guava leaves into a fine paste and mix it with plain goat’s milk. Drink this twice a day for relief from the symptoms of typhoid.
• Juice of lemon : Honey and lemon juice mixed together with water taken daily increases vitamin C in the body, which helps fight infection.
  Tender coconut water: Tender coconut water is energizing and high in mineral content.

Conclusion
Globally, typhoid is known to affect over 21 million people, out of which 200,000 people die from the disease. In countries like Pakistan, Egypt, and India, there is a high risk of developing this disease. Improving environmental sanitation and spreading awareness about the causes of this disease are the key factors in the prevention of typhoid.