Typhoid Fever - Symptoms - Better Medicine

What are the symptoms of typhoid fever?

Symptoms of typhoid fever usually develop five to 21 days following ingestion of food or water contaminated with Salmonella Typhi bacteria and can last up to a month or longer. Typical symptoms of typhoid fever include:

Abdominal pain and tenderness
Diarrhea or constipation
Difficulty concentrating
Fever and chills. A sustained fever of 104 degrees Fahrenheit is not uncommon with typhoid fever.
Headache
Malaise (general ill feeling)
Mood changes
Nosebleeds
Poor appetite
Rash (small, flat, red rashes on the belly and chest that are also known as rose spots)
Weakness and fatigue

Symptoms that might indicate a serious or life-threatening condition

Typhoid fever can lead to life-threatening complications, including intestinal bleeding, kidney failure, and peritonitis. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of these symptoms:

Bloody stools or major rectal bleeding
Change in level of consciousness or alertness
Confusion, delirium, hallucinations or disorientation
Dizziness that is unexplained or persistent
Dry, cracked lips, mouth or tongue
Lethargy or unresponsiveness
Not urinating or urinating small amounts of tea-colored urine
Severe abdominal pain
Severe diarrhea

In infants, serious symptoms include sunken fontanels (soft spot) on the top of the head, lethargy, no tears with crying, few or no wet diapers, and diarrhea. Be particularly concerned about fever in infants two months of age or younger.

INTRODUCTION

What is typhoid fever?

Typhoid fever, also called enteric fever, is a contagious, potentially life-threatening bacterial infection. Typhoid fever is caused by the bacterium Salmonella enteric serotype Typhi (also known as Salmonella Typhi), which is carried by infected humans in the blood and digestive tract and spreads to others through food and drinking water contaminated with infected feces. Symptoms o... Read more about typhoid fever introduction

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.... Read more about typhoid fever causes

TREATMENTS

How is typhoid fever treated?

Typhoid fever is a treatable disease and can often be cured with a full course of antibiotics, such as ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, or ciprofloxacin. In some severe cases, treatment may require rehydration with intravenous fluids and electrolyte replacement therapy. With treatment, symptoms typically improve within two to four weeks. Symptoms may return if you have not been completely treated. To cure typhoid fever, you must take your antibiotics for as long as prescribed and follow up with your health care provider for a series of blood and stool tests to ensure you are no longer contagious.... Read more about typhoid fever treatments