Cases of typhoid have been confirmed in Ireland in recent weeks and are associated with travel as international trips recommence post-Covid.
Two cases of the highly contagious virus were detected in two people who had returned from trips overseas according to a recent HPSC report.
The illness, which is caused by bacteria called Salmonella Typhi, causes:
- Fever
- Headache
- Nausea
- severe loss of appetite
- cough
- constipation
- diarrhoea
It takes between 10 to 20 days for the infection to develop and show symptoms.
According to the HPSC: "Typhoid fever can be a very serious disease, but antibiotics are an effective treatment. Paratyphoid is an illness caused by a similar bacterium, Salmonella Paratyphi.
"However, this bacterium generally causes a milder illness, of shorter duration and with fewer complications than that of Salmonella Typhi."
The available information also says that in mild cases, “the bacteria is passed out of the body quickly, the symptoms tending to be minor and the course of the illness uncomplicated. It is possible to become a healthy carrier of infection.”
However, “with more severe illness or illness which has not been fully treated, there is fever, headache and constipation. In some cases, patients have a rash of rose-coloured spots. Later, high fever, diarrhoea and confusion can develop."
People diagnosed with typhoid and paratyphoid can potentially spread the illness to other people and so it’s important to isolate and ring your GP if you suspect you have the illness.
Health officials say: "People that are ill with typhoid or paratyphoid and people who are carriers of the bacteria shed S. Typhi in their faeces and can potentially spread it to other people.
"Carriers are people that have recovered from typhoid or paratyphoid but continue to carry and shed the bacteria.
"About 1 in 20 people who have had typhoid or paratyphoid become carriers."
Although the illness is uncommon in Ireland and throughout Europe, there were also two cases of travel-related Salmonellosis between March 27 and April 2.
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