Learn About Typhoid Fever
Typhoid fever is an infection that causes fever, diarrhea, and a rash. It is 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, sometimes 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:
- Bloody stools
- Chills
- Agitation, confusion, delirium, seeing or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations)
- Difficulty paying attention (attention deficit)
- Nosebleeds
- Severe fatigue
- Slow, sluggish, weak feeling
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.
Andrew Pollard practices in Oxford, United Kingdom. Mr. Pollard is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Typhoid Fever. His top areas of expertise are Typhoid Fever, Salmonella Enterocolitis, Tetanus, Parainfluenza, and Adenoidectomy.
Firdausi Qadri practices in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Qadri is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Typhoid Fever. Their top areas of expertise are Cholera, Typhoid Fever, Salmonella Enterocolitis, and Diarrhea.
Florian Marks practices in Seoul, Republic of Korea. Mr. Marks is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Typhoid Fever. His top areas of expertise are Salmonella Enterocolitis, Typhoid Fever, Cholera, and Sepsis.
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:
- Intestinal hemorrhage (severe GI bleeding)
- Intestinal perforation
- Kidney failure
- Peritonitis
Contact your provider if you have any of the following:
- You know you have been exposed to someone who has typhoid fever
- You have been in an area where there are people who have typhoid fever and you develop symptoms of typhoid fever
- You have had typhoid fever and the symptoms return
- You develop severe abdominal pain, decreased urine output, or other new symptoms
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 S typhi must not be allowed to work as food handlers.
Summary: The aim of this study is to identify an optimal infant vaccine schedule for a malaria vaccine which is better aligned with the timing of other vaccine interventions.
Summary: Typhoid and paratyphoid (enteric) fever affects more than 11 million children and adults globally each year including 7 million in South Asia. Up to 1% of patients who get typhoid may die of the disease and, in those that survive, a prolonged period of ill health and catastrophic financial cost to the family may follow. In the last 20 years, treatment of typhoid fever with a 7-day course of a sing...
Published Date: May 12, 2025
Published By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Roy and Diana Vagelos Professor in Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, New York, NY. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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