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indirectly by ingestion of contaminated water, milk or food or
through À ies.
Reporter: Would you mind telling us the percentage of typhoid infected
people who visit your department?

Dr. Rajan: Actually it is dif¿cult to say the exact percentage as we don’t have
actual data. Though it can affect any age group, its incidence is
highest in 5-19 year of age group. Typhoid fever is observed all
through the year but the peak incidence is reported in the rainy
season that is July to September.

Reporter: Please tell us its preventive measures. I mean how can a person be
safe from such a dreadful disease?

Dr. Rajan: Good question! Protection and puri¿cation of drinking water
supplies, improvement of basic sanitation and promotion of food
and personal hygiene are essential measures to prevent
transmission. Hands should be frequently washed using soap and
clean water. They should be washed before preparing food,
eating, drinking and after using the toilet. Early diagnosis and
treatment of typhoid cases is very important. Next preventive
CDC
measure is vaccination. Two typhoid vaccines are available. Oral
live attenuated vaccine given on days 1, 3, 5 and 7 with a booster

Curriculum Development Centre
every 5 years and the other one is parentral vaccine which
involves one dose with a booster every 2 years.
Reporter: I’d appreciate it if you could tell us how we can make people
aware of this fatal disease. I’d like to know the way people could
be educated on its seriousness.
Dr. Rajan: Sure. We can make people aware of this fatal disease through
health education. People should know how the disease is
transmitted and its preventive measures. People should
eat safe food, drink safe beverages, practise hygiene and
cleanliness. If you feel sick and think you might have typhoid
fever, consult your doctor. Early diagnosis and treatment is very
important because if untreated 10-15% of the people affected
usually die of typhoid fever. However, this can be brought down
to 1% if diagnosed and treated early.

Reporter: Finally, do you have anything to say regarding this disease, doctor?
Dr. Rajan: Well, Typhoid is easily preventable infectious disease. Simple
measures which I have said earlier in your question can prevent
us from getting this disease. Creating public awareness not only
for typhoid fever but all other infectious disease is crucial.

ENGLISH, Class 10 137