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Mortality Rate of Typhoid Fever
With appropriate treatment, the mortality rate of typhoid fever is generally under 1 percent. If treatment is not received, the mortality rate increases to between 12 and 30 percent. Of course, the mortality rate of typhoid fever will depend on other factors, including the strain of the bacteria and its sensitivity to specific antibiotics.
The mortality rate of typhoid fever will depend on a number of factors, including:
- The strain of typhoid fever bacteria and its sensitivity to specific antibiotics
- The symptoms of typhoid fever the person is experiencing and their severity
- If treatment is provided and, if so, how early the treatment is started
- The age and general health of the patient.
When appropriate typhoid fever treatment is started early, the prognosis is good. With treatment, the mortality rate of typhoid fever is typically under 1 percent and few complications should occur.
For someone who does not receive treatment for typhoid fever, symptoms can continue for four to eight weeks. The mortality rate of typhoid fever is substantially higher in these cases. For untreated cases, current research estimates the mortality rate of typhoid fever to be between 12 and 30 percent.
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD