Typhoid fever

Causative organism

Typhoid fever is a life threatening illness caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi.

Anyone can get ill after exposure to Salmonella typhi bacteria. Travelers visiting developing countries are at the greatest risk for getting typhoid fever.

Mode of infection

The infection is spread directly from person to person or through contaminated food or water. Some infected persons may not show any symptoms (called typhoid fever "carriers"), but can spread the bacteria to others through their feces and urine for many years. Animals do not carry Salmonella typhi.

Symptoms and onset

Symptoms start 3 days to 2 months (usually 7 to 14 days) after exposure and may include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Tiredness
• Loss of appetite
• Red spots on chest or back
• Constipation (in adults)

Typhoid fever should be treated with antibiotics

Spread of the infection can be prevented by

• Excluding infected persons from food handling and from direct care of patients, young children, and the elderly until lab tests of feces done by the local health department show negative results.
• Thorough washing of hands with soap and water after using the toilet, before handling food, and before eating.

Typhoid fever can be prevented with typhoid vaccine

Typhoid vaccine is recommended for persons who are going to travel to countries where there is a risk of exposure to Salmonella typhi, such as many countries of Africa, Asia, and Central and South America. However, typhoid vaccination is not 100% effective and is not a substitute for careful selection of food and drink while visiting developing countries. Typhoid vaccine is also recommended for persons living in a household with a typhoid fever carrier.