Overview
Typhoid fever is an infection spread through food and water contaminated with the bacteria. It usually causes a fever that builds over days, with headache, stomach pain, and tiredness, and it needs to be assessed by a clinician. This is general educational information, not medical advice.
Symptoms
- fever that builds up over several days
- headache and general weakness
- stomach pain
- poor appetite
- constipation or diarrhoea
Causes
- infection with Salmonella Typhi bacteria, swallowed in contaminated food or water
Risk factors
- drinking water or eating food that may be contaminated
- limited access to safe water and sanitation
- close contact with someone who is infected or carrying the bacteria
Prevention
- safe drinking water and careful food hygiene
- handwashing with soap
- typhoid vaccination where it is recommended
Emergency warning signs
- severe stomach pain or a rigid abdomen
- blood in the stool
- confusion or drowsiness
- persistent vomiting with inability to drink
Evaluation & tests
Educational note: clinicians assess typhoid fever with history, examination, and laboratory tests such as blood cultures. This library does not diagnose.
Treatment education
Educational overview: treatment is prescribed and supervised by clinicians, and completing their instructions matters. Antibiotics must never be self-selected or shared, which also drives resistance. This library does not prescribe.
Self-care
General education: safe water, food hygiene, and handwashing reduce spread, and rest and fluids support recovery alongside clinician-directed care. Follow the advice of your own clinician.
When to seek care
Seek care for a fever lasting more than a few days, especially with stomach pain or after travel to an area where typhoid is common.