Dengue and typhoid fever are different illnesses, mostly prevalent in tropical regions. However, their overlapping symptoms can lead to confusion and difficulty in diagnosis. Both are major health problems, especially during the monsoon, and the overlapping of the symptoms might lead to inefficiency in their treatment.

Understanding the differences and similarities between symptoms can lead to accurate diagnosis, tests such as the Dengue Profile test, and illness management.

What is Typhoid?

A bacterium known as Salmonella typhi causes typhoid, a bacterial infection. If an individual eats or drinks contaminated food or water, this bacterium can infect them. It is widespread, mostly in unhygienic or poor sanitation areas. It can be diagnosed accurately by conducting a typhoid test.

What is Dengue?

Aedes mosquitoes transmit the dengue virus, which causes dengue infection. Dengue fever, if not treated timely and efficiently, can lead to dengue hemorrhagic fever, which can be fatal. It is common in areas with tropical and sub-tropical climates.

Common Symptoms of Typhoid and Dengue

While they are two distinct diseases, their initial symptoms may seem flu-like. These symptoms include:

• High temperature or fever

• Headache

• General aches and pains

• Rash

• Weakness or fatigue

• Gastrointestinal issues

The Key Differences

Here are some key differences between dengue and typhoid that can help in accurate diagnosis and testing.

Onset of fever: Typhoid fever develops gradually, but dengue fever is characterised by a sudden high fever of about 104 °C.

Type of Pain: In dengue, people feel pain in muscles and joints, as well as pain behind the eyes, whereas in typhoid, patients typically complain about abdominal pain.

Rash: While rash is common with both diseases, dengue rash is blotchier and affects large areas of the body.

Gastrointestinal symptoms: Dengue can cause nausea and vomiting, while typhoid causes abdominal pain along with diarrhoea or constipation.

Bleeding problems: In Typhoid, there is no bleeding, whereas in Dengue, bleeding can happen from the nose or gums.

Recognising these differences can aid in the early diagnosis and treatment of the condition. Different antigens cause these conditions, necessitating distinct treatments. Antibiotics can treat typhoid, while general treatment options for dengue include resting, taking paracetamol, or drinking fluids. If you feel you have any of the symptoms, contact your healthcare provider for early treatment.