How to Prevent Typhoid Fever From Being Spread

Typhoid fever is an intestinal disease caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi. It is a serious problem in developing countries where clean water, sanitation and appropriate medical care are lacking. You can contract typhoid fever through contaminated food, water and close contact with an infected person. With proper treatment you will recover within a few days, but the disease can be fatal. You can do several things to reduce your risk of infection and reduce the risk of spreading it to others if you have been infected.

Instructions

• 1

  Consider getting vaccinated. If you are in a high-risk area or have been exposed to someone who has the disease, a vaccination might protect you. It is not 100 percent effective, though.

• 2

  Wash your hands frequently with soap and hot water for at least 30 seconds. This is especially important before handling foods and after using the bathroom. Keep hand sanitizer handy in the event water is not available.

• 3

  Stay away from untreated water. Stick to bottled water and canned and bottled sodas, wines and beer. Clean off the outside of bottles and cans before you drink them. Do not use ice in your drinks. Brush your teeth with bottled water.

• 4

  Be cautious about raw fruits and vegetables; they might have been rinsed in contaminated water. Stick to ones you can peel. It might be best to avoid raw fruits and vegetables entirely.

• 5

  Eat hot foods and stay away from room-temperature foods. You cannot guarantee anything, but restaurant food is probably safer than foods sold by street vendors.

• 6

  If you have been infected with typhoid fever, wash your hands in hot, soapy water for at least 30 seconds, and clean toilets, door handles and any other items likely to be touched by others daily. Do not handle food and keep personal items separate from other people in your household. These measures can help prevent the infection from spreading to others.