The key difference between dengue and typhoid is that dengue is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus while typhoid is a bacterial infection caused by Salmonella typhi.
Dengue and typhoid are two emerging diseases. In many Asian countries, dengue and typhoid have been reported as major health concerns. Coinfection of dengue with typhoid has already been reported. However, dengue is a viral disease, whereas typhoid is a bacterial disease.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Dengue
3. What is Typhoid
4. Similarities – Dengue and Typhoid
5. Dengue vs. Typhoid in Tabular Form
6. FAQ – Dengue and Typhoid
7. Summary – Dengue vs. Typhoid
What is Dengue?
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease that occurs in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. Dengue fever causes symptoms such as high fever, headache, muscle, bone, or joint pain, nausea, vomiting, pain behind the eyes, swollen glands, and rash. Dengue is caused by any one of four types of dengue viruses. The risk factors for this condition are living or traveling in tropical areas and having had dengue fever in the past. Transmission of dengue occurs by the infective bite of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
Figure 01: Dengue
Dengue can be diagnosed through physical examinations and blood tests. Furthermore, treatment options for dengue may include supportive care in a hospital, intravenous fluid and electrolyte replacement, blood pressure monitoring, transfusion, over-the-counter acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen.
What is Typhoid?
Typhoid is a bacterial disease that can spread throughout the body, affecting many organs. Typhoid is also known as enteric fever, and the bacterium Salmonella typhi causes it. This disease is transmitted through the usage of food and water contaminated with bacteria and close contact with a person suffering from typhoid infection. Moreover, the symptoms of this condition may include higher fever, headache, stomach pain, constipation or diarrhea, muscle aches, rash, swollen stomach, confusion, and not being able to pay attention and react. The risk factors for typhoid are working in or traveling to areas where typhoid is established, working as a microbiologist handling Salmonella enterica serotype typhi bacteria, and having close contact with someone who is infected or has recently been infected.
Figure 02: Typhoid
Typhoid can be diagnosed through medical or travel history, body fluid, or tissue culture. Furthermore, treatment options for typhoid may include antibiotics like fluoroquinolones, cephalosporins, macrolides, carbapenems, drinking plenty of fluids, and surgery for intestinal damage.
What are the Similarities Between Dengue and Typhoid?
- Dengue and typhoid are two emerging diseases.
- In many Asian countries, dengue and typhoid are major health concerns.
- Coinfection of dengue with typhoid has already been reported.
- Both diseases cause high fever and stomach pain.
- They can be diagnosed through laboratory culturing.
- Moreover, they can be treated through resting and specific medications.
What is the Difference Between Dengue and Typhoid?
Dengue is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus, while typhoid is a bacterial infection caused by Salmonella typhi. Thus, this is the key difference between dengue and typhoid. Furthermore, the risk factors for dengue are living or traveling in tropical areas and having had dengue fever in the past. On the other hand, the risk factors for typhoid are working in or traveling to areas where typhoid is established, working as a microbiologist handling Salmonella enterica serotype typhi bacteria, and having close contact with someone who is infected or recently been infected.
The infographic below presents the differences between dengue and typhoid in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
FAQ: Dengue and Typhoid
Is typhoid serious?
Typhoid can cause serious complications and can be fatal if neglected. Infection can spread throughout the body and can affect many organs.
What are the major symptoms of typhoid?
High fever, severe diarrhea, and abdominal pain are the symptoms of typhoid.
What happens if dengue and typhoid occur at the same time?
If not treated early, dengue and typhoid together may lead to multi-organ involvement and further undesired consequences.
Summary – Dengue vs. Typhoid
Dengue and typhoid are two different and unrelated diseases that can cause symptoms similar to one another. Both these diseases can cause high fever, and the coinfection of dengue with typhoid has also been reported. However, dengue is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus, while typhoid is a bacterial infection caused by Salmonella typhi. So, this is the key difference between dengue and typhoid.
Reference:
1. “Dengue Fever: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments.” WebMD.
2. “Typhoid.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Aedes Mosquito and Dengue Virus Particles” By NIAID (CC BY 2.0 DEED) via Flickr
2. “Typhoid bacteria (Salmonella typhi)” By Vaccines at Sanofi (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 DEED) via Flickr