SITUATION OF TYPHOID FEVER IN DERA GHAZI KHAN

Pakistan is striving hard to overcome the challenges associated with health. Typhoid fever is among one of the common diseases present commonly across the country. The disease is caused by the typhoid salmonella bacteria. The mode of spread of bacteria is waterborne and food borne. Municipal water supplies and the food handler who is also carrier of the bacteria are considered the main source of transmission. Symptoms which are commonly observed in patients are abdominal pain, fever, headache, nausea, diarrhea and also constipation some time. The study was conducted in the Dera Ghazi Khan and its vicinity rural areas. Dera Ghazi Khan is the least developed Division of Punjab and it is the end of south Punjab. Due to poverty and under development many social, economic issues are present which in turn leads to poor health condition of the community. Total sample size of the patients who were involved in the study was 200 from the time period of Jan 2018 to Jan 2019.The age of the participants varied from infants less than two years to adult consisting of both the gender. Blood culture confirmed the presence of bacteria. Antibiotics along with other medicine are used as a primary treatment.Complications is also associated with the typhoid fever and can result in death when treatment is not started on time. The prevalence of typhoid fever from the society can be reduced by providing safe drinking water and developing awareness among the masses about cleanliness of their selves and the environment where they live. Typhoid vaccination is also a step to prevent the disease. Key Words: Safe drinking water, Salmonella bacteria, Typhoid fever, Antibiotics