Typhoid fever is an infection that causes diarrhea and a rash. It is most commonly caused by bacteria called Salmonella typhi (S typhi).
Enteric fever
S typhi is spread through contaminated food, drink, or water. If you eat or drink something that is contaminated with the bacteria, the bacteria enter your body. They travel into your intestines, and then into your blood. In the blood, they travel to your lymph nodes, gallbladder, liver, spleen, and other parts of the body.
Some people become carriers of S typhi and continue to release the bacteria in their stools for years, spreading the disease.
Typhoid fever is common in developing countries. Most cases in the United States are brought in from other countries where typhoid fever is common.
Early symptoms include fever, general ill-feeling, and abdominal pain. High fever (103°F, or 39.5°C) or higher and severe diarrhea occur as the disease gets worse.
Some people develop a rash called "rose spots," which are small red spots on the abdomen and chest.
Other symptoms that occur include:
Fluids and electrolytes may be given by IV (into a vein) or you may be asked to drink water with electrolyte packets.
Antibiotics are given to kill the bacteria. There are increasing rates of antibiotic resistance throughout the world, so your provider will check current recommendations before choosing an antibiotic.
Kathleen Neuzil is an Infectious Disease doctor in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Neuzil is rated as an Elite doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Typhoid Fever. She is also highly rated in 9 other conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Flu, Typhoid Fever, Salmonella Enterocolitis, and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
Matthew Laurens is a Pediatric Infectious Disease specialist and a Pediatrics doctor in Hanover, Maryland. Dr. Laurens has been practicing medicine for over 22 years and is rated as a Distinguished doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Typhoid Fever. He is also highly rated in 5 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Malaria, Typhoid Fever, Salmonella Enterocolitis, and Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis. Dr. Laurens is currently accepting new patients.
Seth Hoffman is an Internal Medicine doctor in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Hoffman is rated as an Advanced doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Typhoid Fever. He is also highly rated in 2 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Typhoid Fever, Salmonella Enterocolitis, Gallstones, and Cholera.
Symptoms usually improve in 2 to 4 weeks with treatment. The outcome is likely to be good with early treatment, but becomes poor if complications develop.
Symptoms may return if the treatment has not completely cured the infection.
Health problems that may develop include:
Contact your provider if you have any of the following:
A vaccine is recommended for travel outside of the United States to places where there is typhoid fever. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website has information about where typhoid fever is common -- www.cdc.gov/typhoid-fever/index.html. Ask your provider if you should bring electrolyte packets in case you get sick.
When traveling, drink only boiled or bottled water and eat well-cooked food. Wash your hands thoroughly before eating.
Water treatment, waste disposal, and protecting the food supply from contamination are important public health measures. Carriers of typhoid must not be allowed to work as food handlers.
Summary: This open label randomized study will be conducted to evaluate and/or describe the immunogenicity and describe the safety of MenACYW conjugate vaccine when administered in infants and toddlers. It will be conducted in India and the RSA in 2 cohorts: Cohort I: Infants and toddlers 6 months to 16 months of age Cohort II: Infants and toddlers 6 weeks to 15 months of age In Cohort I, eligible particip...
Summary: An open-label, randomized controlled, non-inferiority study of co-administration of OCV, TCV and MR vaccines among children 12 to 59 months of age in Dhaka, Bangladesh will be conducted. Children who did not receive any of the aforementioned vaccines will be included in the study. This study will be conducted among 2117 children of 12-59 months of age residing in Mirpur area (wards 4, and 6-16) of...
Published Date: June 20, 2021
Published By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Associate in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Andrews JR, Harris JB, Ryan ET. Typhoid fever, paratyphoid fever, and typhoidal fevers. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 100.
Melia JMP, Sears CL. Infectious enteritis and proctocolitis. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology/Diagnosis/Management. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 110.