Typhus is a disease that is at risk for both adults and children. However, the symptoms of typhus in children may be different from adults.
Typhus is a disease that should not be taken lightly, because it carries the risk of serious complications if not treated properly. Therefore, know the symptoms of typhus in children and the following treatment.
Symptoms of Typhus in Children
Symptoms of typhus generally appear 1-3 weeks after the child is infected, namely:
- High fever
Fever of up to 40.5 degrees Celsius accompanied by headaches, muscle aches, and easy fatigue is a sign of typhus in children that needs to be watched out for. This condition lasts for 1 to 2 weeks. Make sure your child doesn’t wear layers of clothing when they have a high fever so they stay comfortable while resting.
2. Indigestion
When exposed to typhus, children will experience the following digestive disorders:
- Diarrhea.
- Vomit.
- Bloated.
- Constipation.
These symptoms lead to weight loss and dehydration, especially if you have diarrhea.
3. Loss of appetite
When the digestive tract is disturbed, the child will lose his appetite. This condition made her lose weight drastically. In addition, a rash will appear on the skin, which starts on the back or chest and spreads to other areas of the body.
In addition, other symptoms of typhus in children are frequent bowel movements, which triggers the child to become weak and lack fluids. Therefore, to prevent dehydration, make sure your child drinks lots of water to replace lost body fluids.
Handling Typhoid in Children
There are several treatment options to reduce the symptoms of typhus in children, namely:
- Drugs
To treat a bacterial infection that causes typhus, the doctor will give an injection of antibiotics or medicine in the form of capsules, tablets or syrup. Antibiotics last for 1-2 weeks. However, if the symptoms are severe, antibiotics may last more than 4 weeks. Antibiotics will continue to be given, even if the symptoms of typhus decrease. This is so that the bacteria really disappear completely.
2. Fluid therapy
To treat symptoms that trigger dehydration, such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and fever, the doctor will provide fluid therapy. This method is done to replace lost body fluids.
Apart from that, there are various ways you can do to speed up the typhoid recovery process in children, namely:
- Make sure the child gets enough rest
During the recovery process, make sure your child gets enough rest for at least a week. This method aims to restore lost energy, so that the recovery process can be optimal.
2. Provide high-nutrition food
Loss of appetite during typhus makes children feel weak. Therefore, make sure that your child’s nutritional and energy intake is sufficient by giving him nutritious food and drinks. Give foods with a soft texture and high in nutrients, such as chicken soup, boiled eggs, porridge, boiled potatoes and fruit.
Typhus can appear at any time and can recur if not handled properly. Therefore, make sure children consume hygienic food and drink, and train children to wash their hands regularly with soap and running water to avoid typhus. If your child has any of the above symptoms, you should take him to the doctor for examination and proper treatment.
