What is Typhoid Fever

Typhoid fever is an illness that is caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi (S. typhi). Typhoid fever can be a life-threatening condition.

Typhoid fever is usually a short-term illness, especially if it is identified and treated early. In some cases, a person who has recovered from typhoid fever can become a chronic carrier. This is a person who does not have, or who no longer has, symptoms of typhoid fever but continues to excrete typhoid bacteria for more than a year. A chronic carrier may not appear to be ill, but he or she can still spread the bacteria to other people.

What are the causes?

In most cases, this condition is caused by drinking water or eating food that is contaminated with S. typhi bacteria.

What increases the risk?

The following factors may make you more likely to develop this condition:

• Living in or traveling to a country that has a large outbreak of typhoid fever.
• Living in or traveling to an area that has poor sanitation.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Common symptoms of typhoid fever include:

• High fever. At first, the fever comes and goes. It becomes constant after a few days of illness.
• Extreme tiredness (fatigue).
• Muscle aches and weakness.
• Stomach cramps with diarrhea or constipation.
• Headache.
• Loss of appetite.
• Rash.

Other symptoms may include:

• Nosebleed.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Cough.
• Confusion or delirium.
• Swollen abdomen.
• Enlarged liver or spleen.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed based on:

• A physical exam.
• Your symptoms.
• Your travel and medical history.
• Stool or urine samples.
• Blood tests.
• Bone marrow biopsy samples. Tissues may be examined under a microscope to check for typhoid bacteria.

How is this treated?

This condition is treated with antibiotic medicines. These may be taken by mouth or may be given through an IV.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Take your antibiotic medicine as told by your health care provider. Do not stop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.

Hygiene

• Wash your hands with soap and water:
  • After you use the toilet.
  • After you help a child to use the toilet.
  • After you change a diaper.
  • Before preparing food.
  • Before eating.
• Use a bleach-based household cleaner to disinfect any surfaces in your home or living area that might be contaminated.

General instructions

• Do not prepare food for other people until both of these things have happened:
  • You have been treated with antibiotics.
  • You have been free of all symptoms for at least a week.
• Avoid close contact with other people until you are well.
• Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to avoid spreading the infection to others.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

How is this prevented?

• Before you travel to a country where typhoid fever is a problem, talk with a health care provider about getting a vaccine to protect yourself from typhoid. You must allow enough time for the vaccine to take effect before you begin traveling.
• When you travel in an area where typhoid is common, avoid unsafe foods and drinks:
  • Only drink sealed bottled drinks and sealed bottled water.
  • Do not use ice in drinks unless the ice was made from bottled or boiled water.
  • Do not eat raw fruits or vegetables unless they have a peel and you have peeled them yourself.
  • Do not eat raw, rare, or undercooked meat, fish, or eggs.
  • When possible, cook your own food.
  • Only eat foods that have been cooked thoroughly and kept hot until served.
  • Do not eat foods or drink beverages from street vendors.
• Avoid contact with people who are sick.

Contact a health care provider if you:

• Have symptoms that are getting worse.
• Develop new symptoms.
• Have a fever.

Get help right away if you:

• Have a fever that gets worse or comes back after it had gone away.
• Develop severe vomiting or diarrhea.
• Cannot eat or drink without vomiting.

Summary

• Typhoid fever is an illness that is caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi (S. typhi).
• Typhoid fever is usually a short-term illness, especially if it is identified and treated early. However, it can be a life-threatening condition.
• This condition is usually caused by drinking water or eating food that is contaminated with S. typhi bacteria.
• Typhoid fever is treated with antibiotic medicine. Do not stop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
• Before you travel to a country where typhoid fever is a problem, talk with a health care provider about getting a vaccine to protect yourself from typhoid.