Typhoid, also known as typhoid fever or enteric fever, is an infection caused by the bacteria Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi.
Across the world, millions of people are infected annually by typhoid, and about 130,000 to 160,000 of them die. The number of people infected with typhoid each year is very low in North America and the industrialized world, but typhoid is common in developing countries.
Typhoid is usually curable, but some bacterial strains are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics. Most people with typhoid in North America acquire it while travelling to developing areas of the world.
If untreated, about 10% to 16% of people with typhoid will die. This drops to less than 1% when people are treated promptly.
Typhoid is usually transmitted by water or food, in much the same way as cholera. People who are infected excrete live bacteria in their feces and urine. They are usually contagious for a few days before any symptoms develop, so they don’t know they need to take extra precautions. If they don’t wash their hands properly, the typhoid bacillus can be transferred to food or water and from there to another person. Also, it can be spread directly from person to person via contaminated fingers.
About 3% of infected people (untreated) become asymptomatic carriers of Salmonella typhi. This means that they continue to shed bacteria in their feces for at least a year and often for life but don’t have any symptoms of typhoid. There are a small number of typhoid carriers in every country. Even Canada and the United States report dozens of locally transmitted cases of typhoid each year, though most cases in these countries are among travellers or immigrants who are ill when they arrive.
The primary treatment for typhoid, as for most other diarrheal diseases, is oral rehydration solution. Typhoid is also treated with antibiotics (e.g., ceftriaxone, levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin),* which usually clear up symptoms in less than a week. People with severe typhoid also may be treated with glucocorticoids such as dexamethasone.
Very few people die of typhoid if they are properly treated. However, they are likely to be infectious for at least a week after symptoms pass. Some people remain infectious, excreting the organisms in the stool, for 3 months or more. The long-term carrier state is unlikely to occur except for those with gallbladder disease.
Careful hand-washing after bowel movements and prior to food handling will help prevent the spread of typhoid. Carriers may be treated with antibiotics for 4 to 6 weeks.
Typhoid fever can be acquired almost anywhere in the world, but it is very rare in developed countries. You have a higher risk of getting typhoid fever if you travel to developing areas such as Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Preventing typhoid is all about avoiding contaminated food and water. The same healthy practices will also help protect you from diseases such as cholera and hepatitis A, which are transmitted in the same way. Follow these guidelines to minimize your risk:
At present, vaccinations against typhoid provide about 50% to 70% protection, though a booster dose may be required for people who are at increased risk. The vaccine is available as an oral capsule and as an injection. Your doctor will determine what form is best for you or your children. Even vaccinated people must follow the food safety tips listed above. It is best to get the vaccine at least 2 weeks before possible exposure for the injected forms, or 1 week before for the oral capsules.
*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen). A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common names. For information on a given medication, check our Drug Information database. For more information on brand names, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2025. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Typhoid
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