What Happens When People Have Typhoid Fever?

Symptoms 

The symptoms of typhoid fever come on gradually. At first, people may get a headache, stomachache, and constipation. The people develop a fever and lose their appetite. In some cases, they may get rose spots, a rash mostly on the chest and abdomen. As symptoms worsen, their fever may rise as high as 103 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. People often

develop bloody diarrhea, become dehydrated (lose fluids faster than they are replaced), and start acting confused or disoriented. In severe cases, people may go into a coma, a state of deep unconsciousness, and die. 

Diagnosis and Treatment 

A blood or urine test usually can detect the presence of the bacterium that causes typhoid fever. Antibiotic drugs that fight the bacterial infection can make the illness shorter and milder and prevent complications. Fluids may be given as well to counter the effects of diarrhea. Severe infections can lead to a perforation (hole) in the intestine that requires surgery to repair.

How Is Typhoid Fever Prevented?

Clean water supplies and effective waste disposal systems are the best ways of preventing typhoid, but these are lacking in many countries. A vaccine is available in the early 2000s that is about 70-percent effective for several years.

Travelers to countries where typhoid fever is common should drink only boiled or bottled water. They should eat only food that has been properly cooked or fruit that they peel themselves and that has not been washed with tap water. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sums up advice for travelers this way: "Boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it."

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