Typhoid medicine recommendations from doctors for a speedy recovery

Treatment for typhoid (typhus) or typhoid fever can be done at home or in the hospital. Usually, the doctor will give you antibiotics to deal with the typhus symptoms that are bothering you. The drug is useful for fighting bacteria that cause typhus, Salmonella typhi . So, what are the types of antibiotics to treat typhus? Here's the explanation.

What drugs will the doctor give to treat typhus?

Typhus or also known as typhoid fever is caused by a bacterial infection Salmonella Typhi . These bacteria are generally spread through food or water that is contaminated with bacteria.

People who have typhus can easily pass the disease on to other people if they don't get treatment. Especially if you also do not maintain personal and environmental hygiene during illness.

One bad habit that can cause typhus is not washing your hands after going to the toilet or preparing food for other people without washing your hands first after defecating. Other people can get typhus from direct contact with you in these ways.

Therefore, it is important to see a doctor immediately and get the right medicine if you get typhus. Generally, the doctor will give antibiotics to fight the bacteria that cause typhus, which can be given during hospitalization or as a medicine to be taken at home.

The following are choices of antibiotics to treat typhus:

1.Chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin)

Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic drug that works to inhibit protein synthesis from bacteria that causes typhus symptoms. When the synthesis of this protein is disrupted, the bacteria are unable to reproduce and spread the infection further.

Chloramphenicol can be taken orally (drink with water) or given intravenously (infusion). The dose of this drug will be given by your doctor according to your body weight and age.

Even so, the administration of chloramphenicol to treat typhus is increasingly rarely used because of its side effects and effectiveness.

2. Amoxicillin (Trimox, Amoxil, Biomox)

Amoxicillin is an antibiotic drug that kills and stops the bacteria that cause typhus from multiplying in the body.

This antibiotic drug is often combined with chloramphenicol specifically for typhus patients who are in critical condition. This typhus medicine is also safe for use in pregnant and lactating women.

You can only get this medicine with a doctor's prescription. It can be in the form of a capsule or a liquid that you drink. Amoxicillin can also be given by injection while you are in the hospital.

3. Ceftriaxone

Ceftriaxone is an antibiotic in the cephalosporin class that functions to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections, including typhoid fever. This drug works by inhibiting the synthesis of bacterial cell walls until the bacteria die and cannot multiply.

Ceftriaxone is generally given only for a short period of time, and is not combined with other drugs. This drug is given by injection in a muscle or through an intravenous (IV)

Medicines to treat the symptoms of typhus should not be given to children without a doctor's advice. You are also prohibited from giving more than the prescribed dose. Ceftriaxone injections can be dangerous if given to newborns.

4.Quinolone (Ciprofloxacin or Ofoxlacin)

Quinolone is a family of antibiotics that functions to treat various diseases caused by bacteria. This antibiotic drug works to inhibit the synthesis of bacterial DNA so that it cannot multiply further.

Quinolone is effective in preventing bacterial infections that cause typhus from getting worse. However, giving this drug is not recommended for children because it has side effects on bone growth.

Medicines that can treat the symptoms of typhus are generally given to adults for one full week with a dose that will be adjusted according to the diagnosis and examination by a doctor. Quinolone can be given either by mouth or intravenously (IV).

5. Azithromycin

Azithromycin is a member of the antibiotic class which has characteristics as an effective and comfortable typhoid fever drug. Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, azithromycin can be used as a substitute for ciprofloxacin for people who are resistant (immune) to ciprofloxacin.

This medication is available by prescription from a doctor in the form of capsules, tablets, or liquids that you take. Azithromycin can also be given by injection while you are hospitalized. This drug is safe for consumption by adults and children.

6. Cefixime

Cefixime is a second-line antibiotic drug used to treat typhus. This drug is known as a cephalosporin antibiotic class which functions to stop the growth of bacteria . Cefixime is safe for children and can be consumed orally.

Research published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutical & Biological Archives states that cefixime is an effective and safe treatment for typhus. This is evidenced by the results of a study which showed that there were 98 out of 106 patients who recovered from typhus thanks to cefixime.

7. Cotrimoxazole

Cotrimoxazole is a sulfonamide class of drugs consisting of a combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole. This drug works to stop the growth of bacteria that cause typhus. Cotrimoxazole is available in tablet and suspension (liquid) form for consumption directly with water.

It should be understood that the type of antibiotic drug given by doctors for each case of typhus may be different, depending on where the typhus case occurs. The reason is, in certain regions or countries, the bacteria that cause typhus may be resistant (immune) to several types of antibiotics.

Other drugs that doctors give while you are typhoid

Apart from giving antibiotics, the doctor may also be able to give other types of drugs to speed up the healing of typhus. These drugs are:

1. Fever-lowering drugs

The most typical symptom of typhus is high fever. To overcome this, your doctor may recommend that you take a fever reliever such as paracetamol.

The drug paracetamol is effective in reducing fever in children and adults with typhus.

Take this medication as directed and advised by your doctor. Contact your doctor immediately if the fever symptoms still disappear and appear within 4-5 days after treatment.

2. Infusion fluids

When you are sick with typhus and need to be hospitalized intensively, the doctor will routinely give you intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration due to fever.

In addition to fluids, IVs may also be used to deliver liquid antibiotic drugs directly into the blood vessels to work quickly against infection.

The doctor will also monitor the fluids you get through drinks or food while in the hospital.