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Typhoid Disease

Typhoid disease, or typhoid fever, can cause death and is usually acquired during international travel, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People with typhoid disease typically have a high fever.

  1. Cause

    • Typhoid fever is caused by the Salmonella Typhi bacterium, according to the CDC.

    Prevalence

    • In the United States, there are only approximately 400 cases of typhoid disease each year. However, in developing countries, typhoid fever is not uncommon. There are approximately 21.5 million global cases of typhoid fever every year, according to the CDC.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms of typhoid fever include sustained fevers, feeling weak, stomach pains, loss of appetite and headaches, according to the CDC. Some people with typhoid fever also develop a rash.

    Risk Factors

    • Risk factors for typhoid fever include drinking contaminated water, working or traveling in areas where typhoid fever is common and having an immune system problem, according to the Mayo Clinic.

    Diagnostic Tests

    • Typhoid disease can be diagnosed with a body or blood fluid tissue culture and with antibody and antigen testing. Your doctor may also ask you about your travel history if you have symptoms of typhoid fever, according to the Mayo Clinic.

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