About Typhoid Fever

Approximately 400 cases of typhoid fever occur in the United States each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but the disease is much more prevalent in the developing nations in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Identification

• Typhoid is an infection caused by Salmonella bacteria that spreads through contaminated food or water as well as direct contact with a person who is ill from the bacteria. After recovering, some victims of the illness carry the bacteria in their gallbladder or intestinal tract and can continue to spread it through their feces.

Types

• Mild cases of typhoid fever usually respond to treatment and disappear within 5 days to 1 week, according to the Mayo Clinic. More severe cases last for weeks and often result in death.

Effects

• Typhoid causes high fever, headache, sore throat and abdominal pain as well as diarrhea or constipation in its early stages. If the illness progresses, diarrhea becomes severe and results in weight loss, and patients eventually become delirious.

Warning

• Severe cases of typhoid fever lead to potentially fatal bleeding or perforation of the intestines. Other deadly complications of the illness include meningitis, swelling of the heart, pneumonia and pancreatitis.

Solution

• Ciprofloxacin and Rocephin are the most commonly prescribed antibiotics for typhoid fever treatment. A vaccine is also available for prevention of the disease.