Checking for fever is more important than ever in this twindemic

This is a double whammy. We still need to deal with COVID-19 and the Omicron virus infecting tens of thousands of people every day, but now there is a new epidemic: typhoid. This twindemic is complicated by the fact that both infections can cause very high fevers. How can we address this problem?

In the first place, it is important to understand that both COVID-19 and typhoid cause fevers. In these difficult times, we need to develop a new habit: check your body temperature at least twice daily. After you wake up and before you go to bed, take your body temperature. Why twice a day? Our body temperature rises during the day. This Circadian Cycle may cause a difference in body temperature of 0,9 ^oC during the daytime. What might have been a normal temperature in the morning may have become a fever at night. 

Let’s say you’re not feeling well. You feel weak, have a fever, a dry cough, your muscles ache, and you have either constipation or diarrhea. Recently, you have not been able to socially distance yourself and you were very close to other people. Additionally, the water you drank tasted funny and you suspect the food you ate yesterday was not properly prepared. 

Having symptoms like the ones we described makes it hard to figure out what is wrong. COVID-19 and typhoid are both possible diagnoses. Two things are important at this point.

If you regularly monitor your body temperature and notice it starts to rise, you should see your doctor. Your health may be at risk.

Furthermore, it is important to understand that COVID-19 is caused by a virus. It could either be the Delta virus or Omicron variant. Therefore, it is a virus infection. COVID-19 enters the body through the lungs, which is why many patients have trouble breathing. Alternatively, typhoid is caused by a bacterium, Salmonella typhi. The bacterium enters the body through food or liquid. In particular, dirty or contaminated water and poorly prepared food may be to blame. But remember that eating spoilt food that has been in the sun all day may also cause food poisoning, which may also cause fevers. Fever is a warning sign to go to the doctor.

Here are some tips to stay as safe as possible. As far as social distancing, staying at home, lockdowns, wearing protective masks, etc. are concerned, follow the rules of your local government. Wash your hands frequently. Only consume clean water and avoid eating suspicious food. Avoid drinking dirty water. Make it a habit to check your body temperature and that of your children twice a day, first in the morning, then in the evening. Have you or one of your children noticed a raised temperature or a fever? Consult your doctor. Both COVID-19 and typhoid are unpredictable, so it is impossible to predict who will become seriously ill and who will not. It is better to be safe than sorry.