Typhoid Fever Transmission

Typhoid fever transmission takes place when a person eats food or drinks beverages that have been handled by a person shedding the Salmonella typhi bacteria. The bacteria are also transmitted when sewage contaminated with Salmonella typhi gets into water used for drinking or washing food. Typhoid fever transmission is most common in areas of the developing world, including parts of Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

What is Typhoid?

Typhoid Fever Transmission: An Overview

The cause of typhoid fever is an infection with the bacteria Salmonella typhi. These bacteria are primarily transmitted through contaminated food or water.

Typhoid Fever Transmission Through Contaminated Food or Water

You can get typhoid fever if you eat food or drink beverages that have been handled by a person who is shedding typhoid fever bacteria (Salmonella typhi), or if sewage contaminated with typhoid fever bacteria gets into the water you use for drinking or washing food. Therefore, typhoid fever is more common in areas of the world where handwashing is less frequent and where water is likely to be contaminated with sewage.

Once Salmonella typhi bacteria are ingested, they multiply and spread into the bloodstream. The body reacts with fever and other symptoms of typhoid fever.

Common Areas for Typhoid Fever Transmission

Typhoid fever is common in most parts of the world, except in industrialized regions, such as the United States, Canada, Western Europe, Australia, and Japan. Therefore, if you are traveling to the developing world, you should consider taking precautions. Over the past 10 years, travelers from the United States to Asia, Africa, and Latin America have been especially at risk.