Typhoid Fever: Causes

What causes typhoid fever?

Typhoid fever is caused by the bacterium Salmonella enteric serotype Typhi (Salmonella Typhi). Salmonella Typhi can enter and infect the body through ingestion of contaminated food and water. Food can become contaminated with the bacteria by being washed in contaminated water or by being touched by an infected person with unwashed hands. Drinking water can become contaminated from raw sewage containing Salmonella Typhi.

What are the risk factors for typhoid fever?

A number of factors increase your chances of contracting typhoid fever. While rare within the United States, Canada, and other industrialized countries, typhoid fever is a major health threat within developing, nonindustrialized countries. Risk factors include:

• Close contact with infected or recently infected individuals

• Residence in a developing country or continent with poor water and sewage treatment facilities or poor hygiene practices

• Travel to areas where typhoid fever outbreaks are more frequent and common, such as India, Southeast Asia, Africa, and South America

• Weakened immune system due to diseases such as HIV/AIDS, or medications such as corticosteroids

• Avoiding contact with a person who has typhoid fever or its symptoms, such as abdominal pain, headache, and fever

• Drinking only bottled water and not using ice unless it is made from bottled water

• Eating foods that are completely cooked, hot, and still steaming

• Getting vaccinated against typhoid fever before visiting high-risk areas

• Not eating raw fruits and vegetables that cannot be peeled

• Washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 15 seconds during and after contact with a person who has typhoid fever, or with a person who has symptoms of typhoid fever, such as abdominal pain, headache, rash, and fever

• Washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 15 seconds, especially before handling food, and after using the bathroom, touching feces, and changing diapers

Reducing your risk of typhoid fever

When visiting affected areas of the world, you can lower your risk of contracting or transmitting typhoid fever by:

• Avoiding contact with a person who has typhoid fever or its symptoms, such as abdominal pain, headache, and fever
• Drinking only bottled water and not using ice unless it is made from bottled water
• Eating foods that are completely cooked, hot, and still steaming
• Getting vaccinated against typhoid fever before visiting high-risk areas
• Not eating raw fruits and vegetables that cannot be peeled
• Washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 15 seconds during and after contact with a person who has typhoid fever, or with a person who has symptoms of typhoid fever, such as abdominal pain, headache, rash, and fever
• Washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 15 seconds, especially before handling food, and after using the bathroom, touching feces, and changing diapers