What Is Typhoid Fever?
Typhoid fever is a serious and sometimes life-threatening infection. It mostly
affects people in developing countries, where sanitation is poor and getting clean
water is a problem.
What Causes Typhoid Fever?
Typhoid fever is caused by bacteria
called Salmonella typhi (S. typhi), which are related to the salmonella bacteria
that cause food
poisoning. They typically live in humans and are shed through a person's feces
(poop) or urine (pee).
The infection happens when a person eats or drinks something contaminated with
the bacteria. When the bacteria get into the body, they quickly multiply and spread
into the bloodstream.
What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Typhoid Fever?
Typhoid fever can come on suddenly or very gradually over a few weeks. The disease
usually causes a high fever, a stomachache, and achiness a week or two after exposure
to the bacteria (but sometimes later).
If the infection isn't treated, a person may lose weight; develop a swollen or
bloated belly; or develop a red, spotted rash on the lower chest or upper belly. Without
treatment, typhoid fever may last a month or more and become very serious, even life-threatening.
In most cases, the symptoms start to go away in the third and fourth weeks, as
long as the disease doesn't cause any other health problems. Sometimes, after the
illness seems gone it can come back.
After recovering from typhoid fever, some people become carriers of the bacteria.
This means that they'll have no symptoms, but do have the bacteria in their bodies
and can pass it on to others.
Who Gets Typhoid Fever?
Typhoid in the U.S. is rare. But if you plan to travel to a foreign country
(especially South-central and Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America, or the Caribbean),
it's a good idea to talk to your doctor about prevention and treatment of typhoid
fever.
People usually get typhoid fever by drinking beverages or eating food that has
been handled by someone who has typhoid fever or is a carrier of the illness. Those
infected also can pass the disease to others directly (for example, by touching them
with unwashed hands). People also get the illness by drinking water that is contaminated
by sewage.
How Is Typhoid Fever Diagnosed?
The doctor will evaluate the symptoms and ask you about your child's medical history
and recent travels. The doctor probably will take a sample of stool (poop), urine
(pee), or blood to test it for the disease.
How Is Typhoid Fever Treated?
Typhoid fever is treated with antibiotics that kill the bacteria. It's important
to take the medicine for the whole time that the doctor prescribes, even if your child
feels better. If you stop it too soon, some bacteria could remain.
Most kids start feeling better within 2 to 3 days of beginning treatment. Offer
your child plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
Kids who are severely dehydrated due to diarrhea
might need to get IV (intravenous) fluids in a hospital or other medical care facility.
Acetaminophen
can help reduce fever and make your child feel more comfortable. Call a doctor immediately
if your child's symptoms last, if they go away and come back, or if your child has
any new symptoms.
Kids with typhoid fever should stay home until the disease has run its course and
a doctor makes sure that the bacteria are gone. The same goes for teens who work in
the food service industry, who may not legally be allowed to return to work until
a doctor has proven them to be free of the bacteria.
Can Typhoid Fever Be Prevented?
Two typhoid vaccines are available in the U.S. One is a series of capsules and
the other is an injection. In some cases, a booster is needed.
The typhoid vaccine is not a routine childhood vaccination. If your child is traveling
to an area where typhoid fever is common, you'll need to ask your doctor for the vaccine.
Kids should be vaccinated at least 1 to 2 weeks before travel. This gives the vaccine
time to take effect.
What Else Should I Know?
Even if everyone in your family has been vaccinated, vaccines are not completely
effective and lose effectiveness over time. So take these precautions in high-risk
areas:
- Sanitize water. Boil or disinfect any water that will be used
for drinking, washing or preparing food, making ice, or brushing teeth. Better yet,
try to drink only bottled water (carbonated is safer than regular) or other drinks
that come in cans or bottles, but wipe the outside of the can or bottle before drinking
from it. Tell kids to avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes, and remind
them to not swallow any water in the shower or bath.
- Cook all food. Fully cook all food, and avoid food from street
vendors and food stored or served at room temperature. Instead, serve packaged foods
or meals that are freshly cooked and served steaming hot.
- Avoid raw food. Avoid raw, unpeeled fruits and vegetables that
may have been washed with contaminated water, especially lettuce and fruits like berries
that can't be peeled. Bananas, avocados, and oranges make better choices, but be sure
you peel them yourself. For safety's sake, you may want your kids to avoid raw foods
entirely.
- Wash hands well and often. Wash with soap and clean, warm water,
especially after kids use the bathroom or before they eat or prepare food.
If no soap and water are available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Date reviewed: October 2017