Typhoid

🦠 What is Typhoid & What Happens in the Body?

Typhoid (also called enteric fever) is caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi, which enters your body through contaminated food or water. Once inside, it travels from your gut into the bloodstream, causing high fever, weakness, and gut inflammation.

It’s not just a stomach bug—if untreated, typhoid can become serious and even life-threatening.

🔍 Root Cause

• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with feces carrying the Salmonella bacteria

• Poor hand hygiene

• Lack of sanitation (especially during rainy season)
  
  

📊 How Common Is It?

Typhoid is widespread in India, especially where clean drinking water and sanitation are issues. Children and young adults are most at risk.

🚨 Signs & Symptoms

• Slowly rising fever that can go up to 103–104°F

• Loss of appetite and weight loss

• Abdominal pain and bloating

• Constipation or diarrhea

• Headache and body aches

• Extreme fatigue and weakness

• Sometimes, a faint rash (rose spots) on the chest
  
  

📝 Typhoid fever develops gradually and may be confused with viral fever—timely testing is key.

🥗 Nutrition During Typhoid

Typhoid affects both the digestive system and energy levels, so diet should be:

• Soft and easy to digest

• High in energy to fight fatigue

• Hydrating to support gut healing

• Balanced to prevent muscle loss and nutrient deficiency
  
  

✅ What to Eat:

• Low-fiber, soft foods: well-cooked rice, suji upma, idli, mashed potato

• High-protein but mild foods: boiled egg, curd, paneer bhurji, moong dal

• Soups and porridges: moong dal soup, vegetable broth, oats porridge

• Stewed or mashed fruits: applesauce, banana, papaya

• Liquids: coconut water, buttermilk, rice kanji, ORS, light herbal teas
  
  

🍽️ Start with small meals every 2–3 hours if appetite is low.

⚠️ What to Avoid:

• Fried and oily foods

• Raw vegetables and salads

• Spicy masalas

• Milk-heavy or gassy foods

• Outside food or water

❌ Raw and high-fiber foods can irritate the healing gut lining.

💊 Nutrients That Support Healing

• Protein – to rebuild tissues and maintain muscle mass

• Zinc – helps with gut healing and immunity

• B-complex vitamins – support energy metabolism

• Electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium) – to prevent dehydration

• Probiotics – to restore gut flora (curd, buttermilk, or supplements)
  
  

🌿 Lifestyle Recommendations

🛏️ Rest:

• Avoid strenuous activity until at least 7 days after fever resolves

• Full recovery may take 2–4 weeks depending on severity

💧 Hydration:

• Drink plenty of fluids—2.5 to 3 liters/day

• Watch for signs of dehydration: dry mouth, dark urine, dizziness
  
  

🧼 Hygiene:

• Wash hands before meals and after using the toilet

• Use boiled or filtered water only

• Avoid raw food from outside vendors
  
  

🧪 Tests:

• Widal test or TyphiDot (detects antibodies)

• Blood culture (confirms bacterial growth)

• CBC (Complete Blood Count) to assess overall impact
  
  

🩺 Track:

• Temperature chart (fever pattern)

• Bowel movements

• Appetite and hydration status

• Weight changes

⚠️ Don’t stop antibiotics midway—even if you feel better. Complete the full course.

📞 Take the Next Step

Typhoid recovery needs nutritional support, gut rest, and hydration. If you or your loved one is recovering from typhoid, a personalized plan can prevent long-term weakness and speed up gut healing.

📝 Book a consultation to get a meal plan that supports fast, safe recovery from Typhoid.

📅Click here to Book your free 30-minute consultation