Typhoid & paratyphoid fevers in Salahaldin governorate

Abstract

From a study of 3167  patients with typhoid & paratyphoid fevers in Salalialdeen governorate during years of 1989, 1991 & 1992, the following results were obtained. The outpatients constituted 82.4% of the cases & the admitted patients were 17.6%. More outpatients & less admission in the years 1991 & 1992 were shown; about 48% of the admitted were 15 to 29 years. Female patients were 61.6% especially housewives were 45%. The least affection was observed among the health personnel 2.6%, the incidence of the disease was 58% in the rural areas & the majority of cases was admitted during summer were 40%. The signs % symptoms showed the same known pattern but with less rose spots & hepatomegly. The diagnosis of the condition was based on the clinical pictures & the results of Widal test. Typhoid fever was found to be predominant (57%) in this study, followed by 38% of mixed infection (typhoid & paratyphoid) & only 5% paratyphoid. Using chloramphenicol together with spetrin in the treatment gave the best response. Although, there was increased incidence of typhoid fever in comparison to the other febrile diseases, the admission of patients was decreased because of the economic sanctions.