Remedial Measures & Treatment of Typhoid

Twenty-first century Americans have little cause to be concerned about localized incidents of typhoid, but typhoid wasn't always a distant memory in the United States. The disease all but completely wiped out the settlement of Jamestown in the 17th century and laid waste to soldiers in army camps during the American Civil War. In 1856, British researchers confirmed that typhoid is water borne. In America, almost all public water systems were filtered by 1920, and the incidence of typhoid was reduced dramatically.

What is Typhoid and its Symptoms?

• Now, water cleanliness and a high standard of sanitary conditions in the United States has lowered the incidence of typhoid to only about 400 Americans annually. About 75 percent of those patients contract the illness while traveling in another country. By contrast, almost 21.5 million people in the developing world contract typhoid each year. This life-threatening disease is transmitted by fecal-contaminated water or by infected individuals.

  Americans who plan to travel overseas need to educate themselves about typhoid. Typhoid bacteria, Salmonella typhi, lives only in human beings. It inhabits the bloodstream and intestines of infected individuals and is eliminated and transmitted through fecal matter. Some people who recover from typhoid still carry the bacteria in their system. These people, while seemingly healthy, are known as carriers. One infamous carrier was Mary Mallon ("Typhoid Mary"), who infected hundreds of people at the turn of the 20th century.

  Symptoms of infection include sustained high fevers of 103 to 104 degrees F, weakness, stomach disturbances, headaches, loss of appetite or a proliferation of flat, rose-colored spots on the skin. The only way to be certain someone has typhoid is to take a blood or stool sample to determine if the S. typhi bacteria is present. For patients with typhoid, a rigorous regimen of antibiotics usually is prescribed. Without this treatment, the fever could run from two to four weeks, and the death rate can be as high as 20 percent. It is important to complete the full course of antibiotics. Even after the patient feels better, he still could be infected and transmit the disease to others.

How to Avoid Typhoid While Traveling

• Areas presently known to have typhoid breakouts are Latin America, Africa and Asia. Travelers should follow basic food preparation advice while traveling, provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "Boil it, cook it, peel or forget it." Drink only bottled water or water that has been boiled. Do not order iced drinks. Eat foods that have been cooked thoroughly, and avoid raw fruits and vegetables that cannot be peeled and eaten. Avoid beverages and foods from street vendors. By following this advice, travelers also can protect themselves against cholera, dysentery and hepatitis A.

  If traveling to an area known to have typhoid, consider getting a vaccination before leaving the United States. Once the decision has been made to receive a vaccination, time the departure of the trip so that it is at least one week after the injection. It takes at least a week for the vaccination to take effect.

What to do if You Contract Typhoid Overseas

• By following the simple precautions listed above, travelers greatly increase their protection against typhoid. If someone becomes ill while traveling, however, she should see a doctor immediately. Visit the U.S. consulate to obtain a reference for a doctor. Follow the prescribed treatment, and avoid food preparation while ill.

  Anyone who has contracted typhoid should call the CDC at 800 CDC-INFO (800-232-4636). The number is in operation 24 hours a day, every day.