Typhoid is an illness caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi. Only about 400 cases of typhoid occur each year in the United States (and 75 percent of these are acquired while traveling internationally); however, typhoid is still common in the developing world, where it affects about 21.5 million people each year.
As mentioned, typhoid is caused by an infection with the bacterium known as Salmonella typhi.
How Is Typhoid Transmitted?
You can get typhoid if you eat food or drink beverages that have been handled by a person who is shedding typhoid bacteria (Salmonella typhi) or if sewage contaminated with the bacteria gets into the water you use for drinking or washing food.
Where Is the Risk for Typhoid the Greatest?
Typhoid 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.
When a person becomes infected with the bacteria that cause typhoid, the bacteria begin to multiply and spread into the bloodstream. After 3 to 60 days, symptoms of typhoid can occur. This period between becoming infected and the start of symptoms is the typhoid fever incubation period.
Symptoms vary among individuals. Some people will have mild typhoid symptoms, while others could experience very serious symptoms, including death.
Symptoms of typhoid commonly seen include:
- Stomach pains
- Headache
- Rash of flat, rose-colored spots
- Weakness
- Bloody nose
- Loss of appetite
- Constipation
- Decreased heart rate
- Fever as high as 103° to 104° F (39° to 40° C).
How Is Typhoid 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 other conditions with similar symptoms, such as:
Typhoid treatment involves using antibiotics that can kill the bacteria. Treatment of typhoid usually focuses on providing relief of symptoms as the body and antibiotics fight the illness.
If treatment is started early, the prognosis is usually good. With proper treatment, the mortality rate of typhoid is generally under 1 percent.
Even after symptoms go away, approximately 3 to 5 percent of people may still carry the typhoid bacteria. These people are known as typhoid carriers. In carriers, it is possible for the illness to return or be passed on to other people. The most famous typhoid carrier was Mary Mallon, known to history as Typhoid Mary.
Is There a Typhoid Vaccine?
One way to prevent typhoid is with a vaccine. There are two types of
typhoid 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. This vaccine is taken orally (by mouth).
Watching what you eat and drink when you travel is as important as being vaccinated, because the typhoid vaccines are not completely effective. Avoiding risky foods will also help protect you from other illnesses, including:
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