What was typhoid fever

When bacteria are resistant to antibiotics, the bacteria are not killed and their growth is not stopped when antibiotics are taken. Your doctor may order special tests to see if the bacteria causing your infection are resistant. Results from those tests may affect what antibiotic treatment you receive. People who do not get appropriate antibiotic treatment may have fever for weeks or months and may develop complications. People who do not get treatment can die from complications of the infection.

Even if your symptoms seem to go away, you may still be carrying Salmonella Typhi or Salmonella Paratyphi. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version.

Overview Typhoid fever is caused by Salmonella typhi bacteria. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Jameson JL, et al. In: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. McGraw Hill; Accessed Oct. Ryan ET. Epidemiology, microbiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of typhoid fever.

Typhoid fever. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. World Health Organization. Espinoza LMC, et al. People who drink contaminated water or eat food washed in contaminated water can develop typhoid fever.

After eating food or drinking water contaminated with the Salmonella typhi bacteria, the bacteria moves down into the digestive system, where they will quickly multiply. This triggers a high temperature, stomach pain and constipation or diarrhoea. Left untreated, the bacteria can get into the bloodstream and spread to other areas of the body. Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection that can spread throughout the body, affecting many organs. Without prompt treatment, it can cause serious complications and can be fatal.

It's caused by a bacterium called Salmonella typhi, which is related to the bacteria that cause salmonella food poisoning. Typhoid fever is highly contagious. An infected person can pass the bacteria out of their body in their poo or, less commonly, in their pee.

If someone else eats food or drinks water that's been contaminated with a small amount of infected poo or pee, they can become infected with the bacteria and develop typhoid fever. Read more about the causes of typhoid fever. Typhoid fever is most common in parts of the world that have poor sanitation and limited access to clean water.

Worldwide, children are thought to be most at risk of developing typhoid fever. This may be because their immune system the body's natural defence against infection and illness is still developing.