Is Typhoid Fever Contagious? Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Typhoid fever is a bacterial illness caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi, which can spread throughout the body and affect many organs. It infects the intestinal tract and if left untreated, it can cause life-threatening serious complications and can even be fatal.

Also called enteric fever, typhoid is extremely contagious, and it still affects people all over the world. According to the World Health Organization, around 16 to 33 million cases occur worldwide each year, leading to 216,000 fatality rates. Children and young adults between the ages of 5 and 19 years are particularly vulnerable to this infection.

How does Typhoid get Transmitted?

Typhoid fever is usually spread through contaminated food and water by the S. typhi bacterium. It can happen if an infected person touches something you eat or drink without washing their hands.

People with typhoid fever can pass S. typhi bacteria in their stools and pee and can spread to other people. Also, some people can carry the bacteria in their stomach and shed it in their poop for at least a year. These people are called chronic carriers, whereas some of them have never shown any signs of sickness.

Symptoms of Typhoid Fever

The main symptoms of typhoid fever are:

• Fever (102-104° F)
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Stomach pain
• Constipation or diarrhea

Some people might also develop rash known as “rose spots” which are small, red spots on the abdomen and chest. Other symptoms also include, bloody stools, nosebleeds, difficulty paying attention, cough, and loss of appetite.

Incubation Period for Typhoid Fever

The Incubation period of typhoid fever is the time between being exposed to the bacterium and the onset of symptoms, ranging anywhere from six to thirty days. The onset of this illness is insidious, with progressively increasing fatigue and a fever that rises from low-grade to 102°F–104°F from the third or fourth day of illness.

Diagnosis

Your healthcare provider will collect samples of bodily fluids and tissues to test for S. Typhi. They take a sample of your blood, poo, or pee, which will be examined under a microscope for the Salmonella typhi bacteria that causes the condition. Bacteria are not always identified the first time, so you may need to have a run of tests to detect the bacteria.

Typhoid fever can be more accurately diagnosed by testing a sample of bone marrow. But getting the sample is both time-consuming and painful, so it is usually only used when other tests are not clear. Your healthcare provider may also take X-rays of your lungs to detect any changes.

Treatment

Antibiotics are usually used to treat typhoid fever. Some newer types of bacteria can resist antibiotics, so your treatment will rely on what kind of typhoid you have and where you got sick. Antibiotics can also be used to treat paratyphoid fever.

If you have a serious illness or complications, you may require additional treatment. Hospitalization will be required.

Possible Complications

The most serious complication of typhoid fever is perforation of the gut, which can cause the contents of the intestine to leak into the abdominal cavity. It may also lead to intestinal bleeding. Other complications include:

• Myocarditis
• Pancreatitis
• Lung infections
• Peritonitis
• Meningitis

Prevention

Getting vaccinated against typhoid can reduce your risk of contracting the disease. If you plan to travel to a high-risk place, you should get the typhoid fever vaccine beforehand.

The two types of typhoid vaccines are:

• An Injected Vaccine administered one week prior to travel.
• An Oral Vaccine that comes in four pills that are taken every other day.

Other prevention tips include:

• Wash your hands often, especially after eating, cooking, bathing, and after using the loo.
• Eat foods that are completely cooked and prefer to drink boiled water.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Thoroughly wash the utensils before and after cooking.
• Avoid close contact with the infected person.

When to See a Doctor ?

If you think you have severe symptoms of typhoid, such as persistent vomiting, diarrhoea, or stomach upset, you should consult a general physician, particularly if you have recently returned from a trip or from abroad. The general physician will want to know if you have travelled to areas where the infection is prevalent, and he/she will diagnose and treat you accordingly. If you are unsure whether you have typhoid fever, you can consult with a general physician online and have all your queries clarified.