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Published on: Aug 07, 2021
1 minute read
By: Infectious Disease Specialist

What Are The Symptoms Of Typhoid?

What are the symptoms of typhoid?

Typhoid is a disease that has an incubation period that can be anywhere from 5 to 28 days. If untreated it will lead to death within a week. Symptoms of typhoid include fever and vomiting with diarrhea or constipation, but the other symptoms are bloodshot eyes, cough, joint pain, headache, loss of appetite, etc.

The symptoms of typhoid are very much like any type of gastroenteritis, so the patient must go for stool tests and get bronchoscopy done to figure out what's exactly going on with their body. It's important not to treat typhoid like ordinary fever because if left completely unchecked this infection could kill somebody in just a matter of few days.

Typhoid is a disease caused by bacteria called Salmonella typhi. Its symptoms include high fever, weakness, intestinal upset, abdominal pain, and Constipation. There are often no other signs or symptoms like rash or spots on the skin. It is not typically dangerous unless it spreads to the bloodstream and causes septicemia (infection of the bloodstream).

Typhoid is transmitted from person to person through contaminated food and water; touching objects with traces of infected feces; drinking after someone who has been sick with typhoid fever (including their pets); kissing a person who has been sick with typhoid fever; being licked by an infected cat or dog scratch can lead to infection.

Poor appetite, tummy pains, excessive thirst, and chills are common symptoms of typhoid fever. Some people will also have a high fever. Those who live in the Southeast Asia area, Africa or Central America are more at risk than those living in Western countries. You can get it by consuming contaminated food or water which has been polluted with slurry from infected humans or animals carrying the disease to others through food chain contamination - human-to-human infection is extremely rare - but this would include raw foods such as salads etc. which provide a haven for bacteria and wild animals.

Diabetes is a hereditary disease. However, it's also dependent on our food and lifestyle choices.

Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to many serious health problems including eye damage, kidney damage, high blood pressure, heart disease -- even amputation of limbs, or permanent neurological defects such as stroke and dementia.

Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes are primarily caused by several factors that you may be able to reduce or reverse - from weight gain and lack of exercise to certain medications and depression. That's why managing your risk for Type 2 requires more than just taking medication but includes making healthy lifestyle changes every day.

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Role of Nutrition in Disease Prevention: How Food Choices Shape Long-Term Health

Disease prevention is no longer limited to vaccinations and medical screenings. Modern healthcare increasingly recognises nutrition as one of the most powerful tools for preventing illness before it begins. The role of nutrition in disease prevention is especially important in India, where lifestyle-related diseases account for a large share of premature illness and mortality.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), poor dietary patterns contribute significantly to rising cases of diabetes, heart disease, obesity and hypertension. Unlike genetic factors, nutrition is a modifiable risk factor, meaning everyday food choices can actively protect health.

Why Nutrition Is Central to Disease Prevention

1. Nutrition regulates metabolic health

Balanced diets help maintain:

healthy blood sugar levels
optimal cholesterol balance
stable blood pressure

Disruption in these systems increases disease risk.

2. Nutrition strengthens immunity

WHO highlights that immune function depends heavily on adequate intake of vitamins, minerals and protein.

3. Nutrition controls inflammation

Chronic low-grade inflammation is linked to most lifestyle diseases. Diets rich in whole foods reduce inflammatory markers.

Major Diseases Influenced by Nutrition

Diabetes and Prediabetes

Excess refined carbohydrates and sugar drive insulin resistance.

Preventive nutrition focuses on:

whole grains
fibre-rich vegetables
adequate protein
controlled portion sizes

ICMR data shows that dietary modification can delay or prevent type 2 diabetes in high-risk individuals.

Cardiovascular Disease

Heart disease remains a leading cause of death in India.

Nutrition impacts:

cholesterol levels
blood pressure
arterial inflammation

Diets low in trans fats and high in fibre significantly reduce cardiovascular risk, as confirmed by WHO and Lancet studies.

Obesity

Obesity increases the risk of multiple chronic diseases.

Preventive nutrition addresses:

calorie density
food quality
satiety regulation

NFHS-5 reports a steady rise in overweight and obesity across age groups.

Hypertension

High sodium intake and low potassium intake contribute to high blood pressure.

Preventive dietary strategies include:

reducing processed foods
increasing fruits and vegetables
maintaining mineral balance

Certain Cancers

Diet influences cancer risk through:

antioxidant intake
fibre consumption
reduced exposure to carcinogenic compounds

WHO estimates that a significant percentage of cancers are preventable through diet and lifestyle changes.

Key Nutrients That Support Disease Prevention

Fibre

Supports gut health, blood sugar control and cholesterol reduction.

Protein

Essential for muscle health, immune function and metabolic balance.

Healthy Fats

Omega-3 fats reduce inflammation and protect heart health.

Micronutrients

Iron, zinc, vitamin D and B vitamins are essential for metabolic and immune regulation.

NFHS-5 highlights widespread micronutrient deficiencies in India, increasing disease vulnerability.

Role of Gut Health in Prevention

The gut microbiome plays a major role in:

immune regulation
inflammation control
nutrient absorption

Fermented foods and fibre-rich diets support healthy gut bacteria, strengthening disease resistance.

Why Preventive Nutrition Works Best Early

Nutrition is most effective when applied:

before disease onset
during pre-disease stages
alongside regular health screening

Once disease progresses, nutrition remains supportive but may not reverse damage fully.

Nutrition vs Medication in Prevention

Medication treats disease; nutrition reduces risk.

WHO and NITI Aayog emphasize that:

preventive nutrition reduces disease incidence
lifestyle modification lowers healthcare burden
early nutrition changes reduce dependency on long-term medication

Both approaches work best when combined appropriately.

Workplace and Community Role in Preventive Nutrition

Structured nutrition programs at workplaces and communities:

improve awareness
support behaviour change
reduce population-level disease burden

Lancet studies show that group-based nutrition interventions improve long-term adherence.

Common Myths About Nutrition and Disease Prevention

Myth 1: Supplements replace healthy food

Whole foods provide better long-term protection.

Myth 2: Prevention requires extreme diets

Consistency matters more than restriction.

Myth 3: Nutrition only matters after diagnosis

Early nutrition is most effective before disease develops.

Building a Preventive Nutrition Routine

Effective preventive nutrition includes:

regular meals
diverse food groups
portion awareness
minimal processed foods
hydration

Small daily choices compound into long-term health benefits.

Long-Term Impact of Preventive Nutrition

Consistent healthy eating leads to:

reduced disease risk
improved energy and productivity
better immune resilience
lower healthcare costs
improved quality of life

NITI Aayog identifies nutrition as a cornerstone of sustainable healthcare systems.

Conclusion

Understanding the role of nutrition in disease prevention empowers individuals to take control of their health long before illness develops. Balanced, consistent nutrition reduces inflammation, supports immunity and protects against chronic diseases that burden India’s healthcare system. Preventive nutrition is not about short-term fixes but about building lifelong habits that support health, resilience and longevity.

References

ICMR – Nutrition and Lifestyle Disease Prevention Reports
National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Dietary and Metabolic Health Data
NITI Aayog – Preventive Healthcare and Nutrition Strategy Reports
WHO – Diet, Nutrition and Chronic Disease Prevention Guidelines
Lancet – Nutrition and Disease Risk Reduction Studies
Statista – Dietary Trends and Health Outcomes India
EY-FICCI – Preventive Healthcare and Nutrition Economics

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