Typhoid fever is a life-threatening infection caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi. In developing countries, where typhoid fever is established, most people become infected by drinking contaminated water. The bacteria may also spread through contaminated food and through direct contact with someone who is infected. An estimated 11–20 million people get sick from typhoid and between 128 000 and 161 000 people die from it every year. In addition, increasing resistance to antibiotic treatment is making it easier for typhoid to spread through overcrowded populations in cities and inadequate and/or flooded water and sanitation systems.

Signs and symptoms:

Symptoms normally begin between 6 and 30 days after exposure to the bacteria.

The two major symptoms of typhoid are fever and rash. Typhoid fever is particularly high, gradually increasing over several days up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. The rash, which does not affect every patient, consists of rose-colored spots, particularly on the neck and abdomen.

Other symptoms can include:

• weakness
• abdominal pain
• constipation
• headaches

Rarely, symptoms might include confusion, diarrhea, and vomiting, but this is not normally severe.

In serious, untreated cases, the bowel can become perforated. This can lead to peritonitis, an infection of the tissue that lines the inside of the abdomen, which has been reported as fatal.

When to see a doctor?

See a doctor immediately if you think you might have typhoid fever, signified by high grade fever lasting for more than 48 hours, accompanied by rash and/or abdominal pain.

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/typhoid

https://patient.info/travel-and-vaccinations/typhoid-and-paratyphoid-fever-leaflet