Table of Contents
Typhoid Fever Symptoms
Symptoms of typhoid fever can develop gradually over a period of weeks, or they may come on suddenly. Fever is the most common symptom, although not all people with typhoid fever will have a fever. Other common symptoms include headache, loss of appetite, constipation, and diarrhea. Some people also develop a skin rash.
What is Typhoid?
Typhoid fever is a potentially life-threatening illness caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi. It is rare in the United States, with an estimated 5,700 cases occurring each year. Typhoid fever is more common in developing countries, where it may cause up to 200,000 deaths per year.
The bacteria that cause typhoid fever are spread through contact with the feces of infected people. The disease can also be spread through contaminated food or water. Symptoms of typhoid fever include fever, headache, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. In severe cases, the infection can spread to the brain, causing seizures, or to the lungs, causing pneumonia.
Typhoid fever is treated with antibiotics. Prevention of typhoid fever includes vaccination and good hygiene practices.
Signs of Typhoid
Fever
There are a number of signs and symptoms that may indicate that a person has typhoid fever. These may include:
Fever
Chills
Headache
Muscle aches
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Abdominal pain
Lack of appetite
Weight loss
Rash
In addition, a person with typhoid fever may have a high heart rate, low blood pressure, and a fever that does not respond to antibiotics.
Causes of Typhoid
fever
The cause of typhoid fever is the Salmonella typhi bacterium. The bacterium is spread through contact with the feces of an infected person, and it can also be spread through food or water that has been contaminated with the feces of an infected person. The symptoms of typhoid fever typically develop about two weeks after exposure to the bacterium, and they include fever, headache, diarrhea, and vomiting. The fever can be very high, and it can cause a person to become dehydrated. If the infection spreads to the brain, it can cause seizures or other neurological problems. If the infection spreads to the lungs, it can cause pneumonia. If the infection spreads to the bones, it can cause osteomyelitis. If the infection spreads to the heart, it can cause endocarditis. Without treatment, typhoid fever can be fatal.
Treatment of Typhoid
Fever
Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection caused by Salmonella Typhi. Symptoms include high fever, headache, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. It is treated with antibiotics.
