Recognize Typhus Fever and DHF Based on the Causes and Symptoms

Some people think that fever in typhus and dengue fever are the same, but they actually have different symptoms. Typhus and dengue fever/dengue hemorrhagic fever (DB/DHF) have symptoms that are similar to each other, namely the appearance of fever and the body feeling weak. So some people think typhoid fever is DB/DHF, and vice versa. In fact, if Hermina's friends wrongly suspect the type of disease they are suffering from, it could later lead to errors in treatment. So how do you understand the different symptoms of typhus and dengue fever? Check out the complete review in the following article!

The difference between DB/DHF and typhus is based on the cause

Typhus or in medical language usually called typhoid fever is an infectious disease caused by infection with the bacteria Salmonella typhi. These bacteria enter the body or rather the digestive tract through contaminated food, drink or water. Not maintaining food and drink hygiene, poor sanitation, and limited access to clean water are thought to be the main causes of typhus. WHO estimates that in 2022 global typhoid cases will occur at 11-20 million per year and cause 128,000-161,00 deaths, and from the Ministry of Health in Indonesia it reached 41,081 cases over the past year and is still increasing.

Meanwhile, dengue fever/dengue hemorrhagic fever (DB/DHF) is a disease caused by the dengue virus which is carried by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The aedes aegypti mosquito is most common during the rainy season and after the rainy season in tropical and subtropical areas. According to the Ministry of Health, in 2022 there were 143,176 cases recorded and 1,236 people died, and in 2023 it fell to 98,071 cases, 764 people were recorded as dead. In fact, both typhoid and dengue fever are the two diseases that most commonly attack Indonesian people, because the environmental conditions that support them are humid and warm places. This disease can attack anyone regardless of age and gender. Both typhus and dengue fever have the main similarity, namely that they both need to be treated and prevented. Let's recognize and understand what the symptoms of typhoid and dengue fever are and how to prevent them that you need to know.

Symptoms of typhus and dengue fever

Typhus and dengue fever do have the same typical symptoms, namely high fever. However, it turns out that both have different patterns of appearance. In dengue fever, the fever is high with a  temperature of 39-40 degrees Celsius. The appearance of fever is usually sudden. In addition, fever with dengue symptoms will last throughout the day and can last up to 7 days. Fever in typhus cases, which mostly occurs in children aged 3-18 years, appears slowly. At the beginning of the symptoms, the body temperature is not too high or even normal. Then, the fever will rise gradually every day, and can reach up to 40.5 degrees Celsius. Typhus fever can also fluctuate, for example appearing at night and decreasing in the morning.

The following are various different characteristics of typhus and dengue fever that Hermina's friends need to know and understand.

1. Red spots or rash

In dengue fever, red spots typical of dengue fever will appear under the skin which occur due to bleeding and when pressed, the red spots do not fade. Apart from red spots, people affected by dengue fever also often experience nosebleeds and light bleeding on the gums. Meanwhile, in typhus, the red spots that appear are not bleeding spots, but are the result of infection from Salmonella bacteria.

2. Time of incident

Another clear difference between the symptoms of typhoid and dengue fever is the time of occurrence of the disease. Dengue fever occurs seasonally, especially during the rainy season where a humid environment is the most suitable place for mosquitoes to breed. Meanwhile, typhoid is not a seasonal disease and can occur throughout the year if the environment is not properly maintained.

3. The pain that appears
Symptoms of DB/DHF cause weakness, headaches, muscle, joint and bone pain. This pain usually begins to be felt after the fever appears. Apart from that, DHF will also cause symptoms of stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting, as well as a red rash appearing on the body. Meanwhile, typhus is a disease related to the digestive tract, so symptoms of fever are definitely accompanied by symptoms of pain in the digestive tract, such as stomach pain, diarrhea, even constipation, if the infection becomes severe it can be followed by a decrease in consciousness.

4. The appearance of shock
In DB/DHF, warning signs may appear such as abdominal tenderness, continuous vomiting, swelling due to fluid accumulation, mucosal bleeding and restlessness. The next emergency that can occur is shortness of breath and shock due to failure in fluid distribution to vital organs. Meanwhile, in typhus, shock generally occurs after untreated symptoms appear, such as decreased consciousness.

5. Disease complications
One complication that can occur is blood vessel damage, which can cause bleeding. If not treated immediately, this condition will cause organ system failure which is characterized by increased liver function, decreased consciousness and heart and other organs which can lead to death. Meanwhile, complications of typhoid can cause a hole in the intestine (intestinal perforation) which can cause intestinal contents to leak into the abdominal cavity and cause infection. If the abdominal cavity is infected, this will cause peritonitis, which is an infection of the tissue that lines the inside of the stomach. This infection can cause various organs to stop functioning.

 

The only way to confirm that the fever that Hermina's friend is experiencing is a symptom of typhoid or DB/DHF is to see a doctor and do a blood test. So, if you have a high fever that has lasted for more than three days, immediately see a doctor to get a recommendation for a blood test at the nearest laboratory. By carrying out a blood test, you will know for sure what disease you are experiencing.

In DB/DHF disease, examination is usually carried out by checking routine blood which can assess the number of hematocrit and platelets. A person affected by dengue fever can experience an increase in the hematocrit number with a decrease in blood pressure. Meanwhile, to confirm typhus, the doctor will recommend that you carry out an IgM Salmonella (sensitivity 88%) or Widal (sensitivity 77%) test after experiencing a fever for at least 5 days. This examination is carried out to find out whether your sister's blood contains proteins / antibodies against the bacteria that cause typhoid.

Consult the health of Hermina Friends at RSU Hermina Pandanaran. Get easy registration via the Halo Hermina mobile application, Call Center 1500488 and Website www.herminahospitals.com