| How to Enjoy Being a Teenager Posted: 02 Aug 2016 05:00 PM PDT Being a teenager can be difficult with your hormones going wild, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the teen years. If you're looking to have enjoyable teenage years, there are many things you can do—big and small—that can make a huge difference! - Understand that there's no set-in-stone way to enjoy your teenage life. Everyone is different, especially in their teenage years. There's really no "way" to enjoy being a teenager except for the "way" you make on your own! Some teens prefer to spend their teenage years with friends, while others prefer to study and work; some prefer to be quiet wallflowers, while others are loud and don't care if they stand out. Saying that there's any one way to enjoy your teenage years is wrong—this article is only a guideline and doesn't need to be followed to the letter!
EditDeveloping Yourself - Stop being afraid of what others think. For lots of people, the teenage years are full of worries—stop paying so much attention to them! Many worries are based on what other people think (e.g., "What if they don't like me after this?" or "What if my mom gets mad that I don't study medicine like she wants?"), rather than what you think. Go ahead and do what you want to do, without factoring in the opinion of others; dye your hair a wacky color, wear what's comfortable and not what's trendy, call your crush, choose your own path in life, and don't worry about what others think of your choices! At the end of the day, it's your life, so live it the way you want to.
- Of course, there are some limits to this. You may want to speak your mind, for example, and it's okay to have your opinions, but you don't want to offend people or start an argument in an inappropriate place. You may want to punch an annoying classmate for being rude, but that causes physical harm to another person, and even if it didn't, it has no benefit to the situation. Learn when it's important to listen to social rules, and not what you think.
- Discover and engage in your interests. When you were younger, people always told you to find hobbies, and chances are, you have at least a few basic interests that you can engage in. Use these to your advantage. Can you pick something you want to practice and dedicate more time towards (e.g., playing an instrument), or delve into a subcategory of your interest (for example, moving from simple writing to writing poetry or literature)? Don't be afraid to try new things. It's never too late to check out a new interest, and, who knows, maybe you'll even find your life passion by doing so!
- Consider "balancing" your interests so that you have a wide variety. For example, if your biggest hobby is computer programming, maybe try a more art-oriented hobby like painting, or learn a language. Just because you're a "tech nerd" or an "art geek" doesn't mean your interests have to stick firmly in that area. It's boring to have interests that are only in one area.
- Explore your style and your interests. Now is the time to experiment; don't feel the need to stick to just one niche. From fashion to hobbies to music and movies, you can explore all kinds of possible interests. Don't feel bound by tradition or labels: if you like to dress like someone who likes rock music, and you really love country music, that's fine. Do what you enjoy.
- Let go of your prejudices. Even if you think you're not prejudiced, sometimes negative thoughts about groups of people can root in your mind. Buried prejudices against religious groups, racial groups, LGBT groups, and so on, can taint your ability to see the world clearly; let go of these. Nobody is exactly like a stereotype, and seeing groups of people as "just like those other ones" inhibits knowing people for who they truly are.
- On a smaller scale, stop thinking badly about people you've had bad experiences with. Unless this person has caused you physical and/or mental harm, they're probably not as bad as you think they are. And if all you know about this person comes from outside sources and not the person themselves, you don't even know if those rumors are true! You don't have to be BFFs with them, but be civil and respectful to them; maybe even try being friendly. They might surprise you and be much different than your image of them!
- Work on your work ethic. Yes, school is boring, but in your teenage years, it matters more than ever. Dedicate some time to studying and do your best to do well in middle school and high school. Aim to get things done as soon as possible instead of procrastinating. Learn how to prioritize, whether it's with school, work, or any extracurricular activities you may be involved in. Boost your studying skills (and even make it fun!). It may not seem enjoyable, but it's helpful later on in life, and some teens—not only the nerds—do find it enjoyable!
- You don't have to be an all-A's student that's taking only Honors or AP-level classes, but you should at least do your best to pass the classes you're in. Avoid slacking off, as this hurts your grades.
- Don't rush on your homework because you want to hang out with friends—work on it to learn new things. A largely forgotten fact is that school is meant for learning, not trapping you in a classroom for a few hours each day.
- Avoid rushing to figure out who you are. Your teenage years are hectic, ever-changing, and chances are, your interests will constantly shift and change. Nothing about yourself is set in stone, even at the end of your teenage years. You will continue to grow and develop as a person as long as you're alive. There's no need to figure yourself out and decide what are at your age. Anyone who tells you that you need to figure out what college you're going to or what you plan for the future is wrong. Even if you think you've decided on what you're going to do, don't be surprised if your plans change—you never know where life is going to take you.
EditDeveloping Relationships - Work to improve your social skills. Some teens have trouble with social interaction, with the reasons behind it varying. Since social interaction is necessary in order to succeed, it's important to learn how to cope with shyness and social anxiety. Consider working with a friend or a family member of close age to develop your social skills. It may not replace new social exchanges, but it's good practice.
- Be polite towards those you don't know well. Every day, you'll likely see people you don't know, whether it be in school or out in public. It may seem funny to make fun of those that you don't know, but it's rude, and word will get back to them eventually. Later in life, you'll have to work with people you don't know; it's best to be polite towards strangers. If you can manage it, be friendly as well. It's appreciated by those around you, even if you don't see it.
- If somebody you don't know has a clumsy moment that makes others laugh at them, such as dropping their books everywhere, don't laugh, and instead help them pick them up if you have the time. It's a nice thing to do, and they will likely appreciate it, even though they may not show it.
- Have a few close friends. You don't need to be at the top of the social food chain and know everybody at school, but you should at least try to have a few loyal friends throughout your teenage years. Friendships are a good place to build your social skills, and building stable relationships with others can help you determine what you want in friendships and romantic relationships you may pursue. And most importantly of all, life is simply easier and brighter with friends. Make sure your friends make you feel good about yourself and don't get you in trouble—you want to enjoy your teen years, not spend them miserable because of your "friends"!
 - Hang out with friends you really like, and worry less about maintaining relationships with people who don't improve your life. Friends come and go, and you may have different types and numbers of friends. That's okay. How many friends you have isn't important; it's the quality of the friends you do have that matters, as cliché as that sounds!
- If you struggle to find friends, try looking in areas where people are similar to you. Are you LGBT, for example? See if there's a teen LGBT group in your city, or if your school has a GSA that you could join. If you prefer writing over socializing, see if you can find writer's groups. If you're autistic, try seeking out other autistic people to befriend.
- Try going on social media if you can't find friends face-to-face. However, be very careful with this. Online friendships develop much differently than face-to-face friendships, and many people online are not who they say they are—you never know what goes on behind the screen. Exercise caution when making friends online, and never agree to meet up with somebody in private. Avoid giving out personal information to people you meet online unless you are sure that they can be trusted.
- Take romance slowly. Some—but not all—teens are interested in romantic relationships, and may want to find a partner. If you get into a relationship, take it slowly and communicate with your partner well. This leads to the healthiest relationships in the long run. You don't need to be tethered to your partner, either. Make sure the relationship allows the both of you to have your own friends and interests. You don't need to rush into anything before you're ready.
- If your relationship ends, it's not the end of the world. You may be tempted to swear off of dating forever, especially if you were badly hurt, but keep an open mind. People grow and change. A relationship that would have worked six months ago may turn out to be extremely destructive now. And remember, few couples stay together during or after high school, whether it's because of long distance or other factors.
- Be wary of abusive relationships. If you feel like you have to constantly walk on eggshells around your partner to try and avoid them getting angry at you or hitting you, or if you can't talk to anybody else without your partner accusing you of cheating, these are huge red flags that the relationship is unhealthy and that you need to get out of it! The same applies for toxic friendships.
- Keep good relations with your family. Family members—especially parents—probably worry about you during your teenage years. Many teenagers become sullen, withdrawn, and stop valuing family as much as they used to. Try to avoid this. Family is one of the most important connections in your life—it's the building blocks for all relationships you develop, whether they're friendships, romantic relationships, or a family that you choose to have later on in life. And plus, you see them every day—why not make it nice to spend time with them?
 - You don't have to be best friends with everyone in your family, but be kind to them and spend time with them once in a while; play a video game with your sister, help your brother with his writing, offer to go on a walk with your mom, or play a board game with your dad. Don't just stay in your room all day and only see your family at meals.
- Improve your relationship with your siblings. It's fine to argue and bicker with siblings here and there, but remember that your sibling relationship is usually one of the longest in your life. Siblings can be great allies, mentors, and friends, not just now, but also when you're old and grey.
- Watch out for abusive family members. Your family can be some of the closest friends you have, but they can also negatively impact your life. If your parents constantly make you feel down, they may be emotionally abusing you. If your brother constantly hits you, that's a sign of physical abuse. Usually, talking things out with a close friend or confronting your abuser can lessen the hurt, but know when to report child abuse.
- Keep close to your extended family, such as your cousins, too; make an effort to spend time with them when you can. You probably don't see your extended family often, so take advantage of the time you do have to hang out with them!
EditHelping Others - Consider volunteer work. You may not be interested in volunteering or attaining a job—that's okay. Helping out others is only a recommendation. However, many volunteers report that their work makes them feel good; some volunteer work can even help with self-development. Consider the benefits and drawbacks of volunteer work or jobs, and use this to decide whether you'll help others out.
- Avoid thinking that you "can't help anybody". You don't have to get a job when you're a teenager—and when you're under a certain age, it's nearly impossible to find one—but that doesn't mean that you're unable to help out! Consider volunteering, doing odd jobs for others, or helping someone to learn something they don't know. This can do wonders to help other people!
- Volunteering doesn't have to happen outside of the home. If you have an internet connection, you can volunteer online—for example, editing wikiHow articles about your favorite subjects.
- Build off of your interests and talents. Are you interested in animals? Volunteer at an animal shelter or collect supplies for your local non-profit shelter. Are you good with people? Find a job or volunteer work that's oriented around talking to others. Can you design complex web pages with minimal effort? Offer to help others learn web design. Take your talents and interests and find something you can do based around those. It can be a great help to volunteer or work, and have fun at the same time!
- Consider tutoring younger kids. If one of your talents is that you're an all-A's scholar, see if there's a program at your school that allows you to tutor struggling students. If not, try asking families that have younger kids or advertising a tutoring service—you may get some great opportunities!
- It's okay to turn down a tutoring offer. If you can't tutor the neighbor's son because he's too loud and disruptive, or if you aren't good at a subject that somebody needs help with, it's okay to politely say, "I'm sorry, I can't do that job" or "I don't think your child and I work together very well".
- You can either choose to get paid for tutoring or do it for free. If you do choose to make it a job, however, don't overcharge. Few people will hire you if you charge ten dollars an hour!
- Participate in fundraisers and activities for causes you support. Some organizations will host activities to donate to certain causes—for example, walks to support cancer research collect money and donate it to groups that do cancer research. Other activities seek to spread awareness of illnesses, or acceptance of disabled people. Consider participating in these.
- Be sure you know what group the activity is supporting. Groups such as Autism Speaks, Susan G. Komen, or PETA are well-known for being surrounded by controversy. Do careful research on an organization before participating in any of their events. You don't want to support something that causes more harm than good.
- Do things that make others happy. You don't need to participate in giant volunteer organizations to make a difference. Consider doing basic things to help people have a brighter day—compliment your classmate's poem, tell someone they look fantastic, help somebody pick up their things if they drop them, hold the door open for others who are struggling to carry things, and so forth. Something that seems little to you can turn someone else's entire day around. Get out there, and help to make the world a better place by making others' lives more enjoyable!
- Traveling can be a great way of developing yourself! However, this isn't necessary for self-growth, and it's okay if you can't travel.
- Don't aim to be normal, because there is no such thing as "normal" when you are a teenager; everybody is developing and trying to find themselves! This is your time to experiment!
- Remember, not everyone enjoys their teens; that's just a fact of life. However, if you don't enjoy your teens, concentrate on being kind to others and getting through it. Just because you were dealt a bad hand in life doesn't mean that you should throw the deck on the table and give up!
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| How to Grow Spinach Posted: 02 Aug 2016 09:00 AM PDT A cool-weather loving green, spinach is a fast-growing relative of beets and Swiss chard. You can plant spinach in either spring or fall, or both if you want to produce a biannual harvest! Spinach tastes delicious raw or cooked and is absolutely packed with iron, calcium, antioxidants, and essential vitamins like A, B, and C. Follow the steps below to learn how to plant your very own spinach crop. EditChoosing a Variety - Grow spinach in USDA Hardiness Zones three through nine. Spinach is extremely cold-hardy and fares well in these mild to cold climate zones. This cold-weather crop prefers temperatures between 35 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit if possible.(1°C to 23°C)[1]
- Choose savoyed and semi-savoyed varieties to plant in the fall. Savoyed varieties are characterized by their dark green crinkly leaves. They are best for planting in the fall because they become especially crisp in cold weather.
- Choose smooth-leafed spinach for a fast growing time. Smooth-leafed spinach grows upright and produces leaves lighter in color than those produced by savoy spinach. It grows quickly and easily and is the perfect addition to any summer salad.[2]
EditPrepping Your Planting Area - Choose an area with full sun. Though spinach prefers a mild climate and will not do well in extremely hot temperatures, it does like full sun. Spinach will produce in partial shade, though the yield may not be as impressive and the plants not as productive.
- Make sure that your soil drains well. Spinach likes a mild, moist climate, but it will not do well in soil that floods regularly or does not drain well. If you cannot find an adequate plot in your garden you can opt to make a raised vegetable garden bed or plant your spinach in a pot.
- If building a raised vegetable garden bed, opt to use cedar wood planks if possible. Cedar wood does not rot when exposed to water.
- Because spinach is a small plant that does not grow extremely deep roots, you will not need a large growing space if you are only growing spinach.
- Test the pH of the soil. Spinach prefers a slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.0. You can add limestone to the soil to regulate the pH level manually.
- Evaluate the soil's calcium and magnesium levels in order to determine what type of limestone to add to your soil. If the soil is low in magnesium, add dolomitic limestone. If it is high in magnesium, add calcitic limestone.
- Add the limestone two to three months before planting if possible to allow the soil to absorb it. After adding, check the pH again.[3]
- Fertilize the soil thoroughly. Spinach likes soil rich in organic matter such as manure, alfalfa meal, soybean meal, cottonseed meal, blood meal, or any other high-nitrogen fertilizer. Be sure to mix a few feet of fertilizer into the soil to ensure adequate richness.
- Make sure to remove any rocks or hard clumps of soil before adding the fertilizer. You can use a rake to check for and remove any unwanted objects.
- Pull any weeds or voluntary plants that are growing in the planting area. These may compete with your spinach plants and crowd them and/or transfer disease to them.
EditPlanting Your Spinach - Decide whether you want a spring or fall harvest, or both. Plant your spinach four to six weeks before the last spring frost for a spring harvest or six to eight weeks before the first fall frost for a fall harvest.
- During a spring harvest, plants will grow tall and small flowers will bloom as soon as the temperature increases and the sun is out for longer than 14 hours per day. This process is called bolting and it disrupts the production of spinach leaves. Be sure to harvest your plants before bolting occurs.
- As a result of the bolting process, it is generally advised that planting a fall harvest crop is more reliable than a spring harvest crop.
- If you live in a particularly hot climate, consider using cold frames or heavyweight row covers to keep the soil cool when the temperatures begin to heat up. Also be sure to sow extra seeds and water twice daily if growing in hot weather.[4]
- Sow seeds 1/2-inch deep and two inches apart. Make sure the rows are spaced at least eight inches apart if planting in rows. Doing so allows the seeds to germinate without having to compete for space. Make sure to buy fresh seeds for planting each year, as they do not stay fresh for long.[5]
- If you are transplanting seedlings, space spinach plants about apart. This allows the seedlings to grow and expand their roots without competing with each other for space.
- You can either purchase seedlings at your local nursery or garden supply store or start them indoors in peat pots. However, it is recommended that you grow spinach from seed if possible as seedlings are difficult to transplant and the roots can be damaged in the process.[6]
- Cover the seeds with soil and pat lightly. The soil does not need to be firm over the seeds, in fact it should be rather light and fluffy. Just be sure that the seeds are not exposed to the air and are entirely covered by soil.
- Spread mulch over the planting area. Cover the soil of the planting area with a few inches of hay, straw, leaf, or grass mulch to prevent weeds from sprouting up. Pulling unwanted weeds may harm the fragile spinach roots, so mulch is a good alternative for preventing weeds from growing in the first place.
- Water the planting area thoroughly. Make sure to use a watering can or a light shower setting on your hose. A strong setting can disrupt the newly planted seeds and even wash them away.
EditCaring for Your Spinach Plants - Thin your plants. As your spinach plants grow into seedlings, thin them lightly to prevent the plants from competing for space. You want the plants to be spaced far enough apart that the leaves of neighboring plants barely touch, if at all. Remove entire plants if necessary to achieve this spatial balance.
- Keep your planting area moist. You want the spinach to grow in soil that is continually moist but not overly drenched. Depending on the climate, you should water your spinach crop on average once to twice per week.
- Cover the soil with a shade cloth if temperatures climb above 80-degrees Fahrenheit. (26°C) Again, spinach does not do well in hot weather. If temperatures begin to climb, you can cover the soil with a shade cloth to lower the temperature of the soil and keep the plants cool.
- Fertilize your plants only when necessary. If your spinach plants are growing slowly, you may want to add more nitrogen-based fertilizer. As mentioned above, spinach likes soil rich in organic matter such as manure, alfalfa meal, soybean meal, cottonseed meal, and blood meal. Add in a few inches and water thoroughly.
- Harvest your spinach. As soon as the leaves grow big enough to eat, (usually about three or four inches in length and two or three inches wide) you can harvest your spinach leaves. It generally takes about six to eight weeks from planting to harvest.
- In the springtime, make sure to harvest spinach leaves before they begin to bolt. Once the plants bolt, the leaves become bitter.
- Harvest the spinach by carefully removing the outer leaves. Either pinch at the base of the stem with your fingers or use gardening shears to snip the base of the stem.
- Alternately, you can harvest the spinach by pulling the entire plant out of the ground. Because spinach does not have very firm roots, it is easy to pull a plant out of the ground entirely.
- Removing the outer leaves is preferred to uprooting the entire plant as doing so allows the inner leaves to grow larger, ultimately producing more mature spinach than if the plant is entirely uprooted.
- Always wash spinach before eating.
- Be aware that spinach shrinks when cooked.
- Be wary of flea beetles, spider mites, and aphids, which feed on spinach leaves.
- Heat and long days will kill your crop. Do not try to grow spinach in the hot summer months.
- Downy mildew and white rust are two diseases that may plague your spinach plants.[7]
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| How to Recover From Typhoid Fever Posted: 02 Aug 2016 01:00 AM PDT Typhoid fever is a bacterial disease common in non-industrialized countries such as South America, Latin America, Africa, Eastern Europe, and areas of Asia outside of Japan. The disease is transmitted through poor cleaning habits and bad hygiene dealing with food and water. The disease is most often caught when a person ingests food or water contaminated with infected feces.[1] If you have been diagnosed with typhoid fever, you can follow a few steps to learn how to best combat this disease. EditUsing Medication for Recovery - Take antibiotics. When you are first diagnosed with typhoid fever, your doctor will figure out how far along the disease has progressed. If the disease is diagnosed in its early stages, the common treatment is with antibiotics. He will prescribe your antibiotics, which you will take for one to two weeks. Some strains of the bacteria that cause typhoid fever have become very resistant to some antibiotics. This means that your doctor will do thorough laboratory tests to come up with the best treatment plan for the particular strain you have.[2]
- The type of antibiotic you are prescribed will vary depending on where you contracted the strain and if you have had it before. The most common antibiotics prescribed include Ciprofloxacin, Ampicillin, Amoxicillin or azithromycin.
- You may also be prescribed Cefotaxime or Ceftriaxone. These medications are typically prescribes for 10 to 14 days.[3][4]
- Take your medications for the prescribed length of time. While symptoms may clear up within a matter of days, it is of the utmost importance that you finish your antibiotic treatment. If you do not take your antibiotics for the prescribed amount of time, you run a serious risk of having the disease return or passing it to others.
- Once you have finished your antibiotics, see your doctor again for a follow up test to make sure that you have gotten rid of the infection.[5]
- Get treated in the hospital. In severe cases, you will need immediate hospital admission. The aggressive symptoms you should look for that point to a severe cases of typhoid fever are swollen stomach, severe diarrhea, a fever of 104 degrees or higher, or persistent vomiting. When in the hospital, you will likely be given the same or similar antibiotic treatment, but it will be administered in injectable form while you are in the hospital.
- You should see a doctor immediately if you experience any of these intense symptoms.
- Fluids and nutrients will also be administered to you through an intravenous drip.
- Most people greatly improve 3-5 days after being admitted to the hospital. However, you may have to stay in the hospital for a few weeks to recover if your case of severe enough or if there were other complications to your health.[6][7]
- Have surgery if necessary. If complications arise while you are in the hospital, you may be diagnosed with a severe case of typhoid fever. This means that you have severe complications like internal bleeding or the splitting of your digestive track. If this happens, your doctor will likely recommend that you have surgery.
- This is very rare unless you are not being treated with antibiotics.[8]
EditUsing Natural Supportive Therapy to Enhance Recovery - Always take your medication. Natural treatments should always be used in conjunction with medicine prescribed by a doctor. While natural remedies will not cure typhoid fever, they can relieve symptoms, like fever or nausea, caused by the disease. Natural remedies are meant to help you feel better while the antibiotics are fighting the disease, not to take place of the antibiotics.
- Ask you doctor about any natural treatments that you start. You want to make sure they don't interact with the particular antibiotic you are taking.[9] Always check with your doctor before using these treatments for children or pregnant women.
- Stay hydrated. It's important to drink a lot of fluids when suffering from typhoid fever. Drink at least 64 ounces of water each day and supplement it with juice, coconut water, and other hydrating drinks. Dehydration generally gets brought on by diarrhea and high fever, which are two of the most common symptoms of typhoid fever.
- In severe cases, intravenous administration of fluids is recommended.[10]
- Follow a healthy diet. Typhoid fever may cause you to experience nutritional deficiencies. Pay attention to what you eat and be sure you provide nutritious, high calorie meals for your body. Having a higher intake of carbohydrates will help you replenish your energy, especially if you have smaller meals multiple times a day. If you are having gastrointestinal problems, it is important to eat only soft foods that are easy to consume, such as soup, crackers, toast, puddings, and jello.[11]
- Eat foods like bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. The main point of this diet is that the four different types of foods are bland and easy on the stomach which help with nausea and diarrhea.[12]
- Drink a lot of 100% fruit juice (many fruit juices have a lot of sugar and can make diarrhea worse) with barley water, coconut water, or rice congee.
- Fish, custards, or eggs will be effective if you do not suffer from gastrointestinal complications because they provide a good amount of proteins.
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to keep your vitamins levels up.[13]
- Drink honey and water. A tea made out of water and honey is a great way to help with the symptoms of typhoid fever. Add 1-2 tablespoons of honey to a cup of warm water. Stir well. This drink helps with any digestive troubles that you may have. The honey soothes the irritation of the intestines and helps protect the tissues in your digestive tract.
- Honey and water is also a natural energy drink.[14][15]
- Never give honey to children under the age of 1.
- Drink clove tea. This is a really beneficial cure for symptoms caused by typhoid fever. Add 5 cloves to 2 liters of boiling water. Continue to boil the mix until half of the original liquid has boiled off. Sit the pot aside and let the cloves steep in the water for a little while.
- Once it cools, filter the cloves out. You can drink the liquid daily for several days to help ease your nausea symptoms.
- You can also add a tablespoon or two of honey to this mixture as well to add flavor and more beneficial qualities.[16]
- Use a combination of crushed spices. You can combine a variety of spices into a tablet to help with your symptoms as well. Mix 7 strands of saffron, 4 basil leaves, and 7 black pepper corns together in a small bowl. Grind them into a fine mixture and add a small amount of water. Stir it and keep adding water until you have a paste. Divide the paste into tablet like portions.
- Take one tablet twice a day with a glass of water.
- This remedy is a great antioxidant and anti-microbial, which helps you to deal with digestive issues caused by typhoid fever.[17]
- Use Echinacea. Echinacea, which comes in the form of a purple flower, roots, or a powder, is great for enhancing your immune system and fighting bacterial infections. It is also great for strengthening body tissues. Purchase some dried flower powder or a couple of Echinacea roots. Boil a teaspoon of the Echinacea ingredients in 8 ounces of water for 8-10 minutes.
- Drink this tea two or three times per day, but only for up to 2 weeks.[18]
- Make carrot soup with black pepper. One of the main symptoms of typhoid fever is diarrhea. To help fight this symptom, boil 6-8 pieces of carrots in 8 ounces of water for 8-10 minutes. Filter the liquid of the bits of carrots. Add 2-3 pinches of ground black pepper to the water. Drink the soup mixture whenever your diarrhea gets to be too much.
- You can add more or less pepper, depending on taste.[19]
- Drink ginger and apple juice. Dehydration is a major side effect of the symptoms of typhoid fever. To help combat this, you can make a juice mixture that will hydrate you quickly and provide natural electrolytes and minerals. Mix 1 tablespoon of ginger juice into 8 ounces of apple juice. Drink it a few times a day to stay hydrated.
- This juice also helps treat liver related problems that may occur by helping to eliminate all the toxins and waste products from your body.[20]
- Mix 1/2 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a shot of water on the first day of your symptoms. Drink this mixture every 15 minute for 1 to 2 hours if your symptoms are severe. Continue to drink this mixture before all meals for 5 days.[21]
- You can add a dash of honey to help sweeten the strong taste.
EditPreventing Typhoid Fever in the Future - Get vaccinated. There are two types of typhoid vaccines that are used. You can use the injectible Vi polysaccharide typhoid vaccine and the oral Ty21a typhoid vaccine. The injected vaccine is given as a single dose at 0.5 milliliters injected into the muscle of the upper arm and on the upper surface of the thigh. The oral vaccine is given through 4 doses spaced 2 days apart, so it would be given on Days 0, 2, 4, and 6.
- The injected vaccine is given to children above two years old and adults. Re-vaccination is done every five years.[22]
- The oral vaccine is given 24 to 72 hours after intake of any antibiotics by mouth on an empty stomach so that the vaccine will not be destroyed by the antibiotics. It is given to children above six years old and adults.[23]
- You should get get your vaccines completed at least one to two weeks before you travel, depending on which vaccine you get. The vaccine works on individuals that have had typhoid fever as well as those that have not. However, you should get re-vaccinated every 2-5 years. Ask your doctor about how long the particular vaccine you are given will work.[24]
- Consume only safe water. Unsafe water is a main conduit for typhoid fever. There are only certain kinds of water you should drink when you visit or live in non-industrialized countries. You should only drink bottled water that is from a reputable source. You should also never ask for ice unless you are sure that it has been made from bottled or safe water.
- You should also avoid popsicles or iced desserts unless you know they are made from safe water.
- Bottled carbonated water is safer than regular bottled water.[25]
- Treat water from questionable sources. If you cannot get bottled water, you can still drink the water you have. You just have to treat it first. Boil the water for at least one minute, especially if you are not sure if the water source, such as a water tap or water pump, is safe. Avoid drinking water from springs, rivers, and other water bodies.
- If you cannot boil it, put chlorine tablets in water obtained from doubtful sources.[26]
- If you live in an area with unsafe water, have a piped water system built in your home and community. Have separate, clean, and covered containers to store water.
- Practice food safety. You can also get typhoid fever from food sources. When visiting certain countries, always cook vegetables, fish, or meat well. Wash these items well in clean water before cooking. If you eat raw food, wash them well in clean water or dip them in hot water. Peel all raw vegetables after you wash them with soap and hot water. Never eat the peelings because contaminants can live on them. If possible, avoid eating raw fruits and vegetables that can't be peeled.
- Have separate clean containers to store food and keep food containers away from areas of contamination, such as the toilet, garbage, or sewage pipes. Do not store cooked food for prolonged periods in the refrigerator. Eat them as soon as possible. Otherwise, dispose of them after 2 or more days of cold storage.
- Avoid eating food sold by street vendors when you travel to countries where typhoid fever is common.[27][28]
- Practice good environmental sanitation. If you are in a location that has typhoid fever, clean your surroundings well. Remove spoiling edible items and place them in properly kept garbage containers. Repair damaged water pipes and sewage canals or pipes in order to avoid spillage of contaminated water in the environment.
- Separate areas of food and water storage from areas where sewage pipes, toilets, or septic tanks are in order to avoid food and water contamination by contaminated water from these facilities.[29][30]
- Keep proper personal hygiene. You can pass typhoid fever through touch, so you should practice safe personal hygiene as well. Wash your hands, preferably with soap or alcohol gel, before and after handling or cooking food, dealing with water, after using the toilet, or handling any dirty object. Be clean and neat in your general appearance and bathing daily is necessary.
- Always wipe your hands on clean towels and not on the clothes you are presently wearing.[31]
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