The infection is caused by certain bacteria. It is in the stools and body fluids of an infected person. It can get passed into food and drinks. This can happen when an infected person has unclean hands. It can also happen if food and water are tainted with sewage.

Digestive System

Risk Factors

Typhoid is common in places with poor sanitation. The risk of getting sick is highest in parts of India, Africa, and Asia.

Things that raise the risk are:

Having close contact with an infected person
Not having the typhoid vaccine
Having food or drink tainted by sewage
Not washing hands carefully
Having low stomach acid or taking acid reducers

Symptoms

Mild symptoms may be:

Low fever
Headache
Constipation—more common in adults
Diarrhea—more common in children
Rose-colored rash
Dry cough
A coating on the tongue
Lack of hunger

Severe symptoms may be:

High fever and chills—may last a long time
Belly pain
Changes in mental state

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about symptoms, health, and travel history. A physical exam will be done. The condition may be diagnosed with bone marrow biopsy, and blood and stool tests.

Treatment

Typhoid is treated with antibiotics. Other options are:

Fluids by mouth or IV to treat dehydration
Medicines to lower fever or ease pain

Prevention

In places where typhoid is common, the risk may be lowered by:

Getting a vaccine before traveling
Boiling water for drinking or cooking
Cooking food well
Washing hands often

RESOURCES:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
https://www.cdc.gov

World Health Organization
http://www.who.int

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Public Health Agency of Canada
https://www.canada.ca

Travel and Tourism—Government of Canada
https://travel.gc.ca

References:

Crump, J. Progress in typhoid fever epidemiology. Clin Infect Dis. 2019; 68(1): S4–S9.

Enteric fever (typhoid and paratyphoid fever). EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/enteric-fever-typhoid-and-paratyphoid-fever. Accessed January 29, 2021.

Typhoid fever. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/typhoid-fever/ Accessed January 29, 2021.

Typhoid fever. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/infectious-diseases/gram-negative-bacilli/typhoid-fever. Accessed January 29, 2021.

Typhoid VIS. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/typhoid.html. Accessed January 29, 2021.

Last reviewed September 2020 by David L. Horn, MD, FACP
Last Updated: 1/28/2021

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