Typhoid in Children

Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection found in the intestinal tract and/or bloodstream. Children, especially those who live in Asia, Africa and South America, have a higher risk of contracting the infection than adults, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Significance

• About 12 million people, including children, throughout the world suffer from typhoid fever. The disease affects about 400 people in the United States each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Causes

• Typhoid fever is caused by the Salmonella Typhi bacteria, and is often spread to children through contaminated food and water.

Symptoms

• Children with typhoid fever may have a high fever, headaches, fatigue, sore throat, pain or swelling in the abdomen, diarrhea or constipation, weight loss and/or a loss of appetite.

Diagnosis

• A doctor will often collect a sample of a child's stool, urine or bone marrow, which is cultured and examined in a laboratory for the presence of bacteria, says Dr. Jerry Balentine on MedicineNet. A physician may also perform an ELISA test to determine if a patient is a typhoid fever carrier.

Treatment and Prevention

• Antibiotics are used to treat typhoid fever in children, according to the New York State Department of Health. A vaccine for typhoid fever is available via pill or injection, the CDC says.