Are there any doctors here? (Actually, I just remembered that your wife is a doctor, James!) So, what in today's world of modern medicine, could have been done for Mary? Could she have been given an antibiotic or some other treatment to help her and prevent the spread to other people? I'm curious!
I don't know if antibiotics would cure her "infection" since salmonella seemed to have colonized Mary's gut. Microbiology isn't my area, hopefully someone else with more knowledge will weigh in.
It stands to reason though, that Mary could have happily gone on working as a cook if she had faithfully observed the basic hygienic practice of washing one's hands after using the toilet and before handling any food.
I just found a nice article about carriers, after a short Google search: some, even after antibiotics, can carry for life. But it's shed in feces, so hand washing is definitely the way to go.
"How long can a typhoid infection spread?
As long as a person still has typhoid bacteria in their feces, the infection can spread to others. Some people can carry the bacteria for months, and in some cases, indefinitely.
About 4%Trusted Source of people with a typhoid infection become chronic carriers."
Are there any doctors here? (Actually, I just remembered that your wife is a doctor, James!) So, what in today's world of modern medicine, could have been done for Mary? Could she have been given an antibiotic or some other treatment to help her and prevent the spread to other people? I'm curious!
I don't know if antibiotics would cure her "infection" since salmonella seemed to have colonized Mary's gut. Microbiology isn't my area, hopefully someone else with more knowledge will weigh in.
It stands to reason though, that Mary could have happily gone on working as a cook if she had faithfully observed the basic hygienic practice of washing one's hands after using the toilet and before handling any food.
Excellent question! I'd love to know the answer to that as well! 😃👍
I just found a nice article about carriers, after a short Google search: some, even after antibiotics, can carry for life. But it's shed in feces, so hand washing is definitely the way to go.
"How long can a typhoid infection spread?
As long as a person still has typhoid bacteria in their feces, the infection can spread to others. Some people can carry the bacteria for months, and in some cases, indefinitely.
About 4%Trusted Source of people with a typhoid infection become chronic carriers."
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156859
oh wow! Thanks for that!