What is true for typhoid?

Appeared in: P.CHO-2019

Explanation

Typhoid fever is also known as enteric fever, which directly points to its primary impact on the gastrointestinal system.
The causative bacterium, Salmonella Typhi, invades the body through the small intestine, specifically targeting the lymphoid tissues known as Peyer's patches in the terminal ileum.
This localization in the intestine is responsible for the disease's most characteristic and severe complications, such as intestinal perforation and hemorrhage.

Option A: Typhoid is a bacterial infection caused by Salmonella Typhi.
Option B: Typhoid spreads through the fecal-oral route (contaminated food and water), not through respiratory droplets.
Option D: The primary organ system affected in typhoid is the intestine. While nephritis (kidney inflammation) can be a complication of severe systemic disease, it is not the main target.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Pathophysiology and transmission of Typhoid Fever as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must closely monitor patients with typhoid for signs of intestinal complications, such as severe abdominal pain, tenderness, distension, or blood in the stool (melena), which could indicate a life-threatening perforation or hemorrhage.
Strict infection control measures, including contact precautions and meticulous hand hygiene, are crucial to prevent fecal-oral transmission within healthcare settings and the community.
Patient education is a key nursing role, focusing on the importance of safe food and water practices, thorough handwashing, and completing the full course of prescribed antibiotics to prevent relapse and the development of a chronic carrier state.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core subject of the question, which is 'typhoid' fever.
The question asks 'What is true?', meaning you must evaluate each statement for its factual accuracy regarding the disease.
Analyze Option A: Recall the causative agent of typhoid. It is the bacterium Salmonella Typhi, not a virus. Eliminate this option.
Analyze Option B: Recall the mode of transmission. Typhoid is an enteric disease spread by the fecal-oral route, not by respiratory droplets. Eliminate this option.
Analyze Options C and D: Compare the primary organ affected. Typhoid is called 'enteric fever' because it primarily targets the intestines (the enteric system). While complications can affect other organs like the kidneys, the main site of pathology is the intestine. Therefore, 'It affects the intestines' is the most accurate and defining statement.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart B (pp 202-403 of 604) p. 91-93

E6 Pathology- ROBBINS & COTRAN PATHOLOGIC BASIS OF DISEASE 10TH Ed p. 792-794

Practise the full P.CHO-2019

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.