Do I need to be on an empty stomach for a blood test for typhoid fever?

Typhoid fever is what we usually call a cold. This disease is generally self-healing and is mainly caused by influenza virus infection. There is no need to fast for a blood test for typhoid fever, because blood tests mainly check the counts of white blood cells and lymphocytes in the blood. Fasting or not has no effect on the test results of these counts. Let’s take a closer look at the symptoms of typhoid fever and how it is treated.

The incubation period is about 10 days, and its length is related to the amount of infectious bacteria. It can be as short as 48 hours in food-borne outbreaks and as long as 30 days in waterborne outbreaks. The typical natural course of typhoid fever is about 4 weeks and can be divided into 4 stages:

1. Initial stage

This is equivalent to the first week of the disease. The onset is usually slow, with fever being the earliest symptom, often accompanied by general discomfort, fatigue, loss of appetite, sore throat and cough. The condition gradually worsens, and the body temperature rises in a step-like manner, reaching 39-40°C within 5-7 days. There may be chills before the fever, but less chills, and there is no obvious sweating when the fever subsides.

2. Extreme period

This corresponds to the 2nd to 3rd week of the disease, and there are often typical symptoms of typhoid fever, which helps with diagnosis.

3. Remission period

This is equivalent to the 3rd to 4th week of the disease. The human body's resistance to Salmonella typhi gradually increases, body temperature fluctuates and begins to decline, appetite gradually improves, abdominal distension gradually disappears, and spleen enlargement begins to shrink. However, there is a risk of intestinal bleeding or intestinal perforation during this period, so you need to be particularly vigilant.

4. Recovery period

Starting from the 4th week of the illness, body temperature returns to normal and appetite improves, and patients usually recover completely in about a month.

General treatment and symptomatic treatment: After the patient is admitted to the hospital, he/she will be isolated according to the gastrointestinal infectious disease. After the clinical symptoms disappear, stool culture will be sent for examination every 5 to 7 days. Isolation can be lifted if the results are negative for two consecutive times. Patients must rest in bed during the fever period. They can sit in bed for a while 2 to 3 days after the fever subsides, and can engage in light activities 2 weeks after the fever subsides. A high-calorie, high-nutrition, easily digestible diet should be given, including sufficient carbohydrates, protein and various vitamins, to replenish the consumption during the fever period and promote recovery. During the fever period, liquid or soft, residue-free diet should be used, and small meals should be eaten frequently. After the fever subsides and appetite increases, you can gradually eat porridge and soft rice. Avoid eating hard and residue-rich foods to avoid inducing intestinal bleeding and intestinal perforation. Generally, normal diet should be resumed 2 weeks after the fever subsides. Patients should be encouraged to drink plenty of water, about 2000 to 3000 ml per day (including food), to facilitate the excretion of toxins. If the patient is unable to eat due to severe illness, 5% glucose saline can be given intravenously.