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Typhoid Fever

A life-threatening illness caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi, typhoid fever is common in the developing world; however, only about 400 cases occur annually in the United States. The disease is spread when people accidentally consume Salmonella typhi bacteria. When treatment is started early, the prognosis is good; however, 3 to 5 percent of people will continue to carry typhoid fever even after symptoms disappear.

 

What Is Typhoid Fever?

Typhoid fever is a life-threatening illness caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi. In the United States, about 400 cases of typhoid fever occur each year, and 75 percent of these are acquired while traveling internationally. Typhoid fever is still common in the developing world, where it affects about 21.5 million people each year.
 

What Causes Typhoid Fever?

The cause of typhoid fever is an infection with the bacteria known as Salmonella typhi.
 

How Is Typhoid Fever Transmitted?

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 the bacteria gets into the water you use for drinking or washing food.
 

Where Is Typhoid Fever Common?

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. Risk for typhoid fever is greatest within the Indian subcontinent and other developing countries in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
 

Symptoms of Typhoid Fever

When a person becomes infected with the bacteria that cause typhoid fever, the bacteria begin to multiply and spread into the bloodstream. After 3 to 60 days, symptoms of typhoid fever can occur. This period between becoming infected and the start of symptoms is called the typhoid fever incubation period.
 
Symptoms of typhoid fever vary among individuals. Some will have mild symptoms, while others could have very serious symptoms, including death.
 
Common symptoms of typhoid fever include:
 
  • Fever as high as 103° to 104° F (39° to 40° C).
  • Stomach pains
  • Headache
  • Weakness
  • Bloody nose
  • Loss of appetite
  • Constipation
  • Decreased heart rate
  • Rash of flat, rose-colored spots.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD