BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuTyphoid feverEnteric feverTyphoid fever is an infection that causes fever, diarrhea, and a rash. It is most commonly caused by bacteria called Salmonella typhi (S typhi).DiarrheaDiarrhea is when you pass loose or watery stool.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article RashRashes involve changes in the color, feeling or texture of your skin.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes S typhi is spread through contaminated food, drink, or water. If you eat or drink something that is contaminated with the bacteria, the bacteria enter your body. They travel into your intestines, and then into your blood. In the blood, they travel to your lymph nodes, gallbladder, liver, spleen, and other parts of the body.Some people become carriers of S typhi and continue to release the bacteria in their stools, sometimes for years, spreading the disease.Typhoid fever is common in developing countries. Most cases in the United States are brought in from other countries where typhoid fever is common. Symptoms Early symptoms include fever, general ill-feeling, and abdominal pain. High fever (103°F, or 39.5°C) or higher and severe diarrhea occur as the disease gets worse.Some people develop a rash called "rose spots," which are small red spots on the abdomen and chest.Other symptoms that occur include:Bloody stools Bloody stoolsBlack or tarry stools with a foul smell are a sign of a problem in the upper digestive tract. It most often indicates that there is bleeding in the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chills Agitation, confusion, delirium, seeing or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations) ConfusionConfusion is the inability to think as clearly or quickly as you normally do. You may feel disoriented and have difficulty paying attention, remembe...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article HallucinationsHallucinations involve sensing things such as visions, sounds, or smells that seem real but are not. These things are created by the mind.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Difficulty paying attention (attention deficit) Nosebleeds Severe fatigue Slow, sluggish, weak feeling Exams and Tests Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about the symptoms. A complete blood count (CBC) will show a high number of white blood cells.Complete blood countA complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A blood culture during the first week of the fever can show S typhi bacteria.Blood cultureA blood culture is a laboratory test to check for bacteria or other germs in a blood sample.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Other tests that can help diagnose this condition include:ELISA blood test to look for antibodies to the S typhi bacteria ELISAELISA stands for enzyme-linked immunoassay. It is a commonly used laboratory test to detect antibodies in the blood. An antibody is a protein produ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article AntibodiesAn antibody is a protein produced by the body's immune system when it detects harmful substances, called antigens. Examples of antigens include micr...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Fluorescent antibody study to look for substances that are specific to S typhi bacteria Platelet count (platelet count may be low) Platelet countA platelet count is a lab test to measure how many platelets you have in your blood. Platelets are particles in the blood that help the blood clot. ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Stool cultureStool cultureA fecal culture is a lab test to find organisms in the stool (feces) that can cause gastrointestinal symptoms and disease.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Fluids and electrolytes may be given by IV (into a vein) or you may be asked to drink water with electrolyte packets.ElectrolytesElectrolytes are minerals in your blood and other body fluids that carry an electric charge. Electrolytes affect how your body functions in many ways...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Antibiotics are given to kill the bacteria. There are increasing rates of antibiotic resistance throughout the world, so your provider will check current recommendations before choosing an antibiotic. Outlook (Prognosis) Symptoms usually improve in 2 to 4 weeks with treatment. The outcome is likely to be good with early treatment, but becomes poor if complications develop.Symptoms may return if the treatment has not completely cured the infection. Possible Complications Health problems that may develop include:Intestinal hemorrhage (severe GI bleeding) GI bleedingGastrointestinal (GI) bleeding refers to any bleeding that starts in the gastrointestinal tract. Bleeding may come from any site along the GI tract, ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Intestinal perforation Kidney failure Kidney failureAcute kidney failure is the rapid (less than 2 days) loss of your kidneys' ability to remove waste and help balance fluids and electrolytes in your b...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article PeritonitisPeritonitisPeritonitis is an inflammation (irritation) of the peritoneum. This is the thin tissue that lines the inner wall of the abdomen and covers most of t...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you have any of the following:You know you have been exposed to someone who has typhoid fever You have been in an area where there are people who have typhoid fever and you develop symptoms of typhoid fever You have had typhoid fever and the symptoms return You develop severe abdominal pain, decreased urine output, or other new symptoms Decreased urine outputDecreased urine output means that you produce less urine than normal. Most adults make at least 500 milliliters of urine in 24 hours (a little over ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Prevention A vaccine is recommended for travel outside of the United States to places where there is typhoid fever. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website has information about where typhoid fever is common -- www.cdc.gov/typhoid-fever/index.html. Ask your provider if you should bring electrolyte packets in case you get sick.When traveling, drink only boiled or bottled water and eat well-cooked food. Wash your hands thoroughly before eating.Water treatment, waste disposal, and protecting the food supply from contamination are important public health measures. Carriers of S typhi must not be allowed to work as food handlers.Open ReferencesReferencesAndrews JR, Harris JB, Ryan ET. Typhoid fever, paratyphoid fever, and typhoidal fevers. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 100.Melia JMP, Sears CL. Infectious enteritis and proctocolitis. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology/Diagnosis/Management. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 110.AllVideoImagesTogSalmonella typhi organism - illustration The causative agent of typhoid fever is the bacterium Salmonella typhi. (Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)Salmonella typhi organismillustrationDigestive system organs - illustration The digestive system organs in the abdominal cavity include the liver, gallbladder, stomach, small intestine and large intestine.Digestive system organsillustrationSalmonella typhi organism - illustration The causative agent of typhoid fever is the bacterium Salmonella typhi. (Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)Salmonella typhi organismillustrationDigestive system organs - illustration The digestive system organs in the abdominal cavity include the liver, gallbladder, stomach, small intestine and large intestine.Digestive system organsillustrationRelated Information Diarrhea(Symptoms)Systemic(Special Topic)Rashes(Symptoms)Hepatic(Special Topic)Fever(Symptoms)Malaise(Symptoms)Abdominal pain(Symptoms)Weakness(Symptoms)Fatigue(Symptoms)Delirium(Condition) Review Date: 5/19/2023 Reviewed By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Associate in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. 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Typhoid feverEnteric feverTyphoid fever is an infection that causes fever, diarrhea, and a rash. It is most commonly caused by bacteria called Salmonella typhi (S typhi).DiarrheaDiarrhea is when you pass loose or watery stool.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article RashRashes involve changes in the color, feeling or texture of your skin.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes S typhi is spread through contaminated food, drink, or water. If you eat or drink something that is contaminated with the bacteria, the bacteria enter your body. They travel into your intestines, and then into your blood. In the blood, they travel to your lymph nodes, gallbladder, liver, spleen, and other parts of the body.Some people become carriers of S typhi and continue to release the bacteria in their stools, sometimes for years, spreading the disease.Typhoid fever is common in developing countries. Most cases in the United States are brought in from other countries where typhoid fever is common. Symptoms Early symptoms include fever, general ill-feeling, and abdominal pain. High fever (103°F, or 39.5°C) or higher and severe diarrhea occur as the disease gets worse.Some people develop a rash called "rose spots," which are small red spots on the abdomen and chest.Other symptoms that occur include:Bloody stools Bloody stoolsBlack or tarry stools with a foul smell are a sign of a problem in the upper digestive tract. It most often indicates that there is bleeding in the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chills Agitation, confusion, delirium, seeing or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations) ConfusionConfusion is the inability to think as clearly or quickly as you normally do. You may feel disoriented and have difficulty paying attention, remembe...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article HallucinationsHallucinations involve sensing things such as visions, sounds, or smells that seem real but are not. These things are created by the mind.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Difficulty paying attention (attention deficit) Nosebleeds Severe fatigue Slow, sluggish, weak feeling Exams and Tests Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about the symptoms. A complete blood count (CBC) will show a high number of white blood cells.Complete blood countA complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A blood culture during the first week of the fever can show S typhi bacteria.Blood cultureA blood culture is a laboratory test to check for bacteria or other germs in a blood sample.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Other tests that can help diagnose this condition include:ELISA blood test to look for antibodies to the S typhi bacteria ELISAELISA stands for enzyme-linked immunoassay. It is a commonly used laboratory test to detect antibodies in the blood. An antibody is a protein produ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article AntibodiesAn antibody is a protein produced by the body's immune system when it detects harmful substances, called antigens. Examples of antigens include micr...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Fluorescent antibody study to look for substances that are specific to S typhi bacteria Platelet count (platelet count may be low) Platelet countA platelet count is a lab test to measure how many platelets you have in your blood. Platelets are particles in the blood that help the blood clot. ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Stool cultureStool cultureA fecal culture is a lab test to find organisms in the stool (feces) that can cause gastrointestinal symptoms and disease.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Fluids and electrolytes may be given by IV (into a vein) or you may be asked to drink water with electrolyte packets.ElectrolytesElectrolytes are minerals in your blood and other body fluids that carry an electric charge. Electrolytes affect how your body functions in many ways...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Antibiotics are given to kill the bacteria. There are increasing rates of antibiotic resistance throughout the world, so your provider will check current recommendations before choosing an antibiotic. Outlook (Prognosis) Symptoms usually improve in 2 to 4 weeks with treatment. The outcome is likely to be good with early treatment, but becomes poor if complications develop.Symptoms may return if the treatment has not completely cured the infection. Possible Complications Health problems that may develop include:Intestinal hemorrhage (severe GI bleeding) GI bleedingGastrointestinal (GI) bleeding refers to any bleeding that starts in the gastrointestinal tract. Bleeding may come from any site along the GI tract, ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Intestinal perforation Kidney failure Kidney failureAcute kidney failure is the rapid (less than 2 days) loss of your kidneys' ability to remove waste and help balance fluids and electrolytes in your b...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article PeritonitisPeritonitisPeritonitis is an inflammation (irritation) of the peritoneum. This is the thin tissue that lines the inner wall of the abdomen and covers most of t...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you have any of the following:You know you have been exposed to someone who has typhoid fever You have been in an area where there are people who have typhoid fever and you develop symptoms of typhoid fever You have had typhoid fever and the symptoms return You develop severe abdominal pain, decreased urine output, or other new symptoms Decreased urine outputDecreased urine output means that you produce less urine than normal. Most adults make at least 500 milliliters of urine in 24 hours (a little over ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Prevention A vaccine is recommended for travel outside of the United States to places where there is typhoid fever. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website has information about where typhoid fever is common -- www.cdc.gov/typhoid-fever/index.html. Ask your provider if you should bring electrolyte packets in case you get sick.When traveling, drink only boiled or bottled water and eat well-cooked food. Wash your hands thoroughly before eating.Water treatment, waste disposal, and protecting the food supply from contamination are important public health measures. Carriers of S typhi must not be allowed to work as food handlers.Open ReferencesReferencesAndrews JR, Harris JB, Ryan ET. Typhoid fever, paratyphoid fever, and typhoidal fevers. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 100.Melia JMP, Sears CL. Infectious enteritis and proctocolitis. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology/Diagnosis/Management. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 110.