Overview

Salmonella typhi bacteria cause typhoid fever which is still a serious health threat, especially for children.

Typhoid can be caused by contaminated food, water or close contact with an infected person. Symptoms usually involve:

• High fever
• Headache
• Stomach pain
• Constipation or diarrhoea

Most people infected with typhoid fever feel better in a few days of antibiotics intake, but some may die of complications. Vaccines are only partially efficient and are usually reserved for those endangered by the disease or travelling to typhoid fever areas.

Symptoms

Symptoms are likely to develop slowly, often visible within three weeks after exposure to it.

Early illness

Symptoms involve:

• Fever that starts low and increases daily
• Headache
• Weakness and fatigue
• Muscle aches
• Sweating
• Dry cough
• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhoea or constipation
• Rash
• Extremely swollen stomach

Later illness

Without any treatment, one may:

• Become delirious
• Lie still and fatigued with eyes half-closed

Life-threatening complexities often are witnessed during this time.

In a few individuals, signs may return up to two weeks after the fever has receded.

Treatment

Antibiotics that kill the Salmonella bacteria is the ideal treatment for typhoid. Usually, improvement is observed with appropriate antibiotic therapy within two days and recovery within ten days.

Many antibiotics are efficient for the treatment of typhoid fever. The antibiotics are determined by identifying the region from where the infection is contracted. If the fever relapses, patients are discharged with just antibiotics treatment.

Those with severe illness are treated with extended antibiotics. Often, removal of the gallbladder, the site of chronic infection, will provide a remedy.

Vaccines are now available for individuals travelling to high-risk areas.

Fact Sheet

Facts:  Globally, more than 21 million people are affected annually by typhoid, with about 2,00,000 people dying.

PGC Resolution: To educate, spread awareness concerning typhoid and advance the treatment options for all. Vaccinate people to provide extensive immunity against typhoid.