Enteric fever

Journal Title: Journal Of Pediatric Critical Care - Year 2017, Vol 4, Issue 3

Abstract

Enteric fever is a major public health problem especially for India due to poor sanitation, lack of clean drinking water and poor food hygiene. It can affect all age groups, but recent shift towards infants and young children is worrisome. The majority of patients improve with ambulatory treatment, supportive care, and administration of appropriate antibiotics early during course of the disease. Hospitalization is indicated in patients with persistent vomiting, poor oral intake or severe diarrhea or any of the serious complications. Patients with shock, encephalopathy, intestinal perforation or hemorrhage and toxemia should be managed in the intensive care unit. Diagnosis is often based on serological tests but blood culture remains the gold standard. Ceftriaxone is the drug of choice for complicated enteric fever. A short course of dexamethasone for 2 days may decrease the mortality in children with serious complications. Early surgical intervention is warranted in intestinal perforation. The emergence of multidrug-resistant strains, is a serious concern thus necessitating more focus on preventive measures. Integrated preventive approach like improvement in sanitation, hygienic food practices and mass vaccination will go a long way in decreasing the incidence of these infections.

Authors and Affiliations

Javed Ismail, Sunit Singhi

Keywords

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  • EP ID EP336084
  • DOI 10.21304/2017.0403.00197
  • Views 126
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

Javed Ismail, Sunit Singhi (2017). Enteric fever. Journal Of Pediatric Critical Care, 4(3), 79-84. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-336084