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Learn about typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever, life-threatening diseases caused by Salmonella serotypes Typhi and Paratyphi. Find out how to prevent, treat, and vaccinate against these infections, especially if you travel to countries where they are common.
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•Overview
•Symptoms
•When to see a doctor
•Causes
•Risk factors
•Complications
Early illness
Early symptoms include:
Later illness
A few weeks after symptoms start, the illness can cause problems in the intestines. People may have: In very serious cases, people may:
See a health care provider right away if you think you might have typhoid fever.
If you get sick while traveling in a foreign country, know who to call for a list of providers. For some that might be the closest embassy or consulate.
If you have symptoms after you return home, consider seeing a provider who focuses on international travel medicine or infectious diseases. This might help get typhoid fever diagnosed and treated more quickly.
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A bacteria strain called Salmonella enterica serotype typhi causes typhoid fever. Other strains of salmonella bacteria cause a similar disease called paratyphoid fever.
People pick up the bacteria most often in places where outbreaks are common. The bacteria passes out of the body in the stool and urine of people who are carrying the bacteria. Without careful hand-washing after going to the bathroom, the bacteria can move from the hands to objects or other people.
Typhoid fever is a serious worldwide threat and affects millions of people each year. Places with the highest number of cases or with regular outbreaks are in Africa and South Asia. But cases are recorded worldwide, often due to travelers to and from these areas.
If you live in a country where typhoid fever is rare, you're at increased risk if you:
•Work in or travel to areas where typhoid fever is established, especially if you travel to visit family or friends. People visiting loved ones may have higher social pressure to drink or eat foods that present a higher risk.
•Work as a clinical microbiologist handling Salmonella enterica serotype typhi bacteria.
Damage to the intestines
Typhoid fever complications can include damage and bleeding in the intestines. Typhoid fever also can cause cells in the walls of the small intestine or large bowel to die off. This allows the contents of the gut to leak into the body. That can cause severe stomach pain, vomiting and infection throughout the body called sepsis. Damage to the intestines can develop in the later part of the illness. These life-threatening complications require immediate medical care. Other possible complications include:
People can get a vaccination against typhoid fever. This is an option if you live where typhoid fever is common. It is also an option if you plan to travel to a place where the risk is high.
Where typhoid fever is common, access to treated water helps avoid contact with the Salmonella enterica serotype typhi bacteria. Management of human waste also helps people avoid the bacteria. And careful hand-washing for people who prepare and serve food is also important.
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Typhoid fever is a serious health threat caused by salmonella bacteria. It can be spread by food, water, or contact with carriers. Symptoms include fever, headache, stomach pain, diarrhea, rash and complications such as sepsis and meningitis. Vaccines can help prevent some cases of typhoid fever.
Mar 30, 2023 · Typhoid fever is a life-threatening infection caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi. It is usually spread through contaminated food or water. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, headache, nausea, abdominal pain, and constipation or diarrhoea. Treatment with antibiotics is possible, but resistance is common. Vaccination is recommended for prevention and travellers to endemic areas.
Typhoid fever, also known simply as typhoid, is a disease caused by Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi bacteria, also called Salmonella typhi. Symptoms vary from mild to severe, and usually begin six to 30 days after exposure. Often there is a gradual onset of a high fever over several days.
- Gastrointestinal infection of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi
- 1–2 weeks after ingestion
- Enteric fever, slow fever
- Infectious diseases
Learn about Salmonella Typhi, the type of Salmonella that causes typhoid fever, and how to prevent it from spreading. Find out more about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention tips from CDC experts.
Jan 28, 2023 · Typhoid fever is a serious infection caused by Salmonella typhi bacteria. It can be diagnosed by growing the bacteria in a sample of your body fluid or tissue. Antibiotics are the only effective treatment for typhoid fever. Learn more about symptoms, causes, tests and treatment options from Mayo Clinic.
Sep 7, 2022 · Typhoid fever is an illness caused by the bacterium S. Typhi, which infects your small intestines and causes high fever, stomach pain and other symptoms. Learn how typhoid fever spreads, how to prevent it and how to treat it with antibiotics.
