Comparison of Clinical Symptoms and Laboratory Findings in Typhoid Fever and Dengue Fever Patients

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Typhoid fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) are two infections that often occur in tropical and subtropical areas, including Indonesia, with similar clinical symptoms but different pathogens. Accurate diagnosis is essential for proper management. Objective: This study aims to analyze the differences in clinical symptoms and laboratory findings in typhoid fever and dengue fever patients at Aek Kanopan Regional Hospital, North Labuhan Batu Regency, North Sumatra. Method: This research is an observational comparative study involving 100 patients diagnosed with typhoid fever and dengue fever during the period December 2023 to February 2024. Data on clinical symptoms and laboratory examination results were collected and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Results show that symptoms of stomach ache and headache are more common in typhoid fever patients, while rash and muscle pain are more prevalent in dengue fever patients. From a laboratory perspective, typhoid fever patients have an increased number of leukocytes (12,000 ± 3,500 cells/µL) compared to dengue fever (9,000 ± 2,000 cells/µL), while platelets in dengue fever patients are on average lower (45,000 ± 15,000 cells/µL) compared to typhoid fever (75,000 ± 20,000 cells/µL). Conclusion: This study confirms the importance of understanding the clinical and laboratory differences between typhoid fever and dengue fever to improve the accuracy of diagnosis and patient management. These results contribute to the development of better clinical guidelines for managing febrile infections in areas with high prevalence.