Typhoid spreads through contaminated food and water and is common across Pakistan — and since 2016 we have faced XDR (extensively drug-resistant) typhoid, which does not respond to most common antibiotics.
How typhoid feels
Fever that climbs day by day ("step-ladder" pattern), headache, weakness, stomach pain, constipation or diarrhea, and poor appetite. Unlike dengue, aches behind the eyes are unusual; unlike malaria, shivering fits are less typical.
Getting the right diagnosis
A blood culture is the reliable test — ideally before starting antibiotics. Typhidot and Widal tests are common but can mislead. If typhoid is confirmed, the lab's sensitivity report tells the doctor which antibiotic will actually work — with XDR typhoid this usually means azithromycin or injectable carbapenems, prescribed by a doctor.
Why self-medication is dangerous here
Taking leftover Ciproxin or an incomplete course breeds resistance and can turn a treatable illness into a hospital admission. Complete the full course, even after you feel better.
Protect your family
The typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV) is part of Pakistan's EPI schedule and is highly effective for children. Boil or filter drinking water, and wash hands with soap before eating.
Sources: WHO — Typhoid and Pakistan's TCV immunization program. This article is general guidance, not a diagnosis.