Typhoid is a gastrointestinal infection caused by salmonella typhi. It spreads via faeco-oral route. Symptoms include; fever, vomiting, abdominal pain and passage of watery stools. The disease is treatable but can progress and cause devastating complications which can be fatal if medical attention is not sought timely. This article is about a true life occurrence that sheds light on the infirmity. Mary Mallon, born September 23, 1869 was an Irish woman. She was exceptionally skilled in the art of cooking. Mary migrated to New York, United States of America where she earned a living as a resident chef for wealthy homes. She worked for eight families with seven of them falling ill and some members dying whilst she was offering her service. It was a horrific pattern and often ended with her taking her services to a new family after each episode. Days to weeks into her new appointment, similar occurrence ensued. She fled to Oyster Bay, Long Island and continued her vocation with the hope of starting afresh as she has earned a bad reputation for spreading doom to every family she worked for. After a taste of her exquisite cuisine, she was hired by Charles Henry Warren, a wealthy banker. Within weeks of her resumption as the chef, 6 persons fell ill and they were diagnosed of typhoid. Mr Warren lost his only daughter to the ailment. Following this he sought to investigate the cause of the ailment as the disease is uncommon in his vicinity. He hired the services of George Soper, who was able to connect the dots having realised the pattern of illnesses and deaths occurring in households Miss Mary had worked in. Consequently tests were carried out on the stool samples of Miss Mary and they were positive, the term carrier was used to describe her as she had the disease but exhibited no symptoms. Publications were made following the result of the investigation and Mary Mallon was tagged Typhoid Mary. In conclusion, the story gives a hint as to the mode of spread of Typhoid gastroenteritis, Mary being a carrier must have contaminated food eaten by the infected household members. This menace can be prevented by proper hand washing following usage of toilet, good physical and food hygiene. Also prompt presentation to the hospital once symptoms are present, care should also be taken when getting food from roadside vendors, as they are easily contaminated. Finally, it’s a healthy practice to be immunised, as vaccines against typhoid are part of the National Immunisation Programme.

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