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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Treatment For Severe Headache And Typhoid Fever

Hi, I am a female, 25, living in Mumbai, India. I have been having severe headaches since past 3-4 days. I got the WIDAL test done for typhoid, and it showed a value of 1.4, which confirmed I got typhoid. I got a temperature of 100+. The doctor has prescribed mahacef plus tablets for 5days. I want to know if it is something very serious. I have never had typhoid before. Also, I stay away from home in a PG. Can my sickness spread to others living with me also? Should I take an off from work and go home for a week or so? Or is it possible for me to get back to work? Please suggest.
posted on Tue, 25 Aug 2015
Twitter Sun, 8 Nov 2015 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 9 Nov 2015 Last reviewed on
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Infectious Diseases Specialist,  's  Response
Hi,

During the first week of fever, typhoid can be confirmed only by 'blood culture' and not by 'Widal' - which should be used to diagnose typhoid only from the 8th day of the fever. Also, Widal is a test known to give false positive results also.

I recommend that you get a blood culture done for yourself. It will take a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 2 weeks to get the results of the blood culture. The main advantage of this test is that it precisely gives details of the antibiotics which are capable of acting against the Salmonella bacteria that caused your infection. Given the widespread antibiotic resistance that we see in typhoid, it is important that this test is done.

In the interim, until the final results are out, you should start an antibiotic. You can continue with Mahacef itself, which you have already started taking. You can change the course after seeing the results of your blood culture.

I would advise you to take off from work if this is indeed typhoid. Your urine and feces will contain this bacteria. Remember to wash your hands thoroughly after you visit the bathroom every time. You are capable of disease transmission for at least 3 weeks after your complete recovery, as the bacteria keeps getting shedded in your feces until then. You do not have to be paranoid about this. These are general precautions that are adopted for all communicable diseases.

Hope this helps!
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Suggest Treatment For Severe Headache And Typhoid Fever

Hi, During the first week of fever, typhoid can be confirmed only by blood culture and not by Widal - which should be used to diagnose typhoid only from the 8th day of the fever. Also, Widal is a test known to give false positive results also. I recommend that you get a blood culture done for yourself. It will take a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 2 weeks to get the results of the blood culture. The main advantage of this test is that it precisely gives details of the antibiotics which are capable of acting against the Salmonella bacteria that caused your infection. Given the widespread antibiotic resistance that we see in typhoid, it is important that this test is done. In the interim, until the final results are out, you should start an antibiotic. You can continue with Mahacef itself, which you have already started taking. You can change the course after seeing the results of your blood culture. I would advise you to take off from work if this is indeed typhoid. Your urine and feces will contain this bacteria. Remember to wash your hands thoroughly after you visit the bathroom every time. You are capable of disease transmission for at least 3 weeks after your complete recovery, as the bacteria keeps getting shedded in your feces until then. You do not have to be paranoid about this. These are general precautions that are adopted for all communicable diseases. Hope this helps!