How Is Typhoid Fever Diagnosed?
- Ask a number of questions, including about your recent medical and travel history
- Perform a physical exam
- Recommend certain tests.
As part of diagnosing typhoid fever, the doctor will rule out conditions with similar symptoms, such as:
Typhoid fever treatment involves antibiotics that can kill the bacteria. Treatment is focused on providing relief of symptoms as the body and antibiotics fight the illness.
When appropriate treatment is started early, the prognosis is good. With proper treatment, the
mortality rate of typhoid fever is generally under 1 percent and few complications should occur.
What Are Typhoid Fever Carriers?
Approximately 3 to 5 percent of people may still carry the
typhoid fever bacteria, even if symptoms go away with treatment. These people are known as typhoid fever carriers. The most famous typhoid fever carrier was Mary Mallon, better known as Typhoid Mary. In carriers, it is possible for the illness to return or be passed on to other people.
Is There a Vaccine for Typhoid Fever?
One way to prevent typhoid fever is with the
typhoid vaccine. There are two types of vaccines. One vaccine contains killed
Salmonella typhi bacteria. This typhoid vaccine is administered by a shot. The other vaccine contains a live but weakened strain of the
Salmonella bacteria that causes typhoid fever. This typhoid vaccine is taken by mouth.
It may surprise you, but watching what you eat and drink when you travel is as important as being vaccinated. This is because the typhoid vaccines are not completely effective. Avoiding risky foods will also help protect you from other illnesses, including:
Previous
Add this article to your Favorites
Email this article
Print