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An Introduction to Typhoid Fever

Typhoid fever is a potentially life-threatening disease caused by the bacteria, Salmonella typhi. The infection typically affects the intestinal tract. Typhoid infections are rare in the United States. Cases are usually the result of travel to a foreign country.

  1. How It Spreads

    • When a person ingests typhoid-contaminated food or drink, he becomes infected. Typhoid fever bacteria are found in the bowel movements and urine of infected individuals. The bacteria can be spread directly as a result of improper hygiene or the bacteria can contaminate the water supply.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms of typhoid fever appear 1 to 3 weeks after exposure and can vary from mild to severe. Symptoms appear in two phases. During the first phase, symptoms are lack of appetite, headache, high fever, coughing, skin rashes and constipation. The second phase is marked by continued high fever, a rapid pulse rate and diarrhea. The entire illness can last as long as 6 weeks and may recur.

    Treatment

    • Typhoid patients may be hospitalized and given antibiotics to combat the infection. A variety of antibiotics may be used, including ampicillin and ciprofloxacin.

    Vaccination

    • Travelers planning to go to areas where typhoid is common can get a vaccination to reduce the chance of contracting the disease. One injection given at least 2 weeks before traveling will protect you for 3 years.

    Carriers

    • A small percentage of typhoid patients become carriers of the disease after the initial acute infection. Carriers are treated by administration of a prolonged course of antibiotics. Other cases may require the removal of the gallbladder to cure the infection.

    Prevalence

    • Each year in the United States, there are fewer than 400 cases of the disease, but worldwide cases number in the millions and result in 500,000 deaths.

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