Question 1

I'm a bit worried because I had sex with my wife before realizing she has typhoid. Is there any chance I could catch it too? What steps should I take now?

Accepted Answer

There is a risk of transmission of typhoid through sexual contact, especially if proper hygiene measures are not followed. It is important for both you and your wife to get tested for typhoid. If the test results are positive, treatment with antibiotics such as Ciprofloxacin or Azithromycin may be necessary. Additionally, practicing good hygiene, such as washing hands regularly and avoiding sharing personal items, can help prevent the spread of the infection.

Question 2

I'm really worried about my brother who's had a fever for about a week now. The fever comes and goes and our family doctor suggested a Widal test. His results came back with S. typhi O 180, S. Typhi H 180, S. Paratyphi AH 120, and S. Paratyphi BH 120. I'm not sure what these numbers mean. Could you tell me if it looks like he has typhoid?

Accepted Answer

report it normal but it will not exclude the possibility by 100%  because there may be false negative , consult physician and show the report

Question 3

I'm super worried and need some clarity. So back in 2001-2002, I got bitten by a dog but didnt get any vaccines then. Jumping ahead 5-6 years later, I started getting anxious about it and took 3 rabies vaccines in 2008. Since then, Ive had a total of 12 rabies vaccines between 2008 and 2012, taking them post-exposure. Does that mean I'm still at risk of rabies in the future because I took the vaccines late?

Also, last year I went to a mela and had dinner at a hotel where the food was kept on the floor in a container. Later, I started stressing out about whether a dog might have eaten that food too. I've heard rabies has an incubation period of 1-3 months. Im past 67 months now, so is there still a risk? Some people suggest getting tests like the Nuchal biopsy Rabies Antibody test. This is all overwhelming, and I could really use some advice.

Accepted Answer

Given your concerns, I'll provide a detailed response to help alleviate your worries.

(i) Dog bite in 20012002 and subsequent vaccinations

You received a dog bite in 20012002 but didn't receive immediate post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Later, between 2008-2012, you received a total of 12 rabies vaccinations.

The risk of developing rabies in this scenario is extremely low.

Multiple factors contribute to this assessment:

1. Time elapsed: The dog bite occurred over 20 years ago, and you've received multiple vaccinations since then.
2. Vaccination regimen: You've completed a series of vaccinations, which provides robust immunity against rabies.
3. Immune system response: Your immune system has likely developed a strong response to the vaccinations, further reducing the risk of developing rabies.

(ii) Concerns about food exposure at a hotel

You're worried that a dog might have contaminated the food you ate at a hotel. Even if a dog had come into contact with the food, the risk of transmitting rabies through contaminated food is extremely low.

Key points to consider:

1. Rabies transmission: Rabies is primarily transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite. Indirect transmission through contaminated food or surfaces is highly unlikely.
2. Incubation period: The incubation period for rabies is typically between 2-10 weeks, with most cases occurring within 2-3 months. Since you've already passed the 6-7 month mark, the risk of developing rabies from this incident is negligible.
3. Testing and diagnosis: Nuchal biopsy and rabies antibody tests are typically used to diagnose rabies in symptomatic individuals. Given your asymptomatic status and the low risk of exposure, these tests are unlikely to provide any valuable information.

I'm currently undergoing treatment for TB lymph nodes, and I've been on the medication for about 10 months now. I've got about 2 months left to complete the course. I'm really anxious about whether it's okay to get the Covid vaccine while I'm still on my TB meds. Can you shed some light on this?

no its not safe

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