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Typhoid Treatment

Typhoid fever is a disease brought on by a specific bacterium, Salmonella typhi. Although very rare in the United States--there are approximately 400 diagnoses per year--typhoid is a significant global health problem. Typhoid is commonly spread through contaminated water, so it is more present in areas of the world where clean drinking water is scarce. Typhoid can cause high fever, stomach pains and death. Thankfully, there are simple ways to prevent and treat typhoid fever.

  1. Prevention

    • As with all disease, the best form of treatment is prevention. If you plan to travel internationally to a developing nation, precautions should be taken. Most importantly, avoid any food or drink that may be contaminated. Drink only bottled water. If you must drink natural water, boil it for at least a minute before drinking. Avoid ice in your drinks, as the water in the ice may carry the bacterium. Eat only raw vegetables and fruits that can be peeled, and then make sure to peel them. Never eat the peels of a fruit or vegetable that may be contaminated. These precautions should be taken even if you have received a vaccine.

    Vaccination

    • While it doesn't completely protect you from infection, vaccination significantly reduces your risk of developing typhoid fever. The vaccine should be administered at least one week before international travel. There are two types of typhoid vaccination: oral pills and injection. The former requires four doses, requires a booster every five years and cannot be given to children younger than 6 years old. The injection form is a one-time procedure that can be done on children as young as 2, but it requires a booster shot every two years.

    Medication

    • Antibiotics can eliminate the symptoms of typhoid fever. These antibiotics include ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and ciprofloxacin. Symptoms should fade within a few days after treatment. While you are receiving the treatment, even as symptoms subside, you may still be carrying the bacterium. This puts others at risk of catching typhoid. To prevent spreading the infection, wash hands thoroughly and frequently with soap and water and take the full course of medicine that your physician prescribes.

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