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Foodborne Illness > Typhoid Fever
Typhoid Fever
What is it?
Typhoid fever is a contagious
infection of the intestines that affects the whole body. In
developing countries, typhoid often occurs in epidemics (many
people get sick at once). Most people in the United States get
typhoid as a result of visiting another country where the food
or water supply has been contaminated.
Cause
The germ that causes typhoid is a unique
human strain of salmonella called Salmonella typhi that is
found in the stools (bowel movements) of infected persons.
Symptoms
Symptoms usually start 1 to 3 weeks after
exposure to the bacteria. Symptoms include:
The symptoms may take 2 or more weeks to go
away, and are treated with antibiotics.
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Occurrence
Typhoid fever is common in most
parts of the world except in industrialized regions such as
the United States, Canada, western Europe, Australia, and
Japan. Therefore, if you are traveling to the developing
world, you should consider taking precautions. Over the past
10 years, travelers from the United States to Asia, Africa,
and Latin America have been especially at risk.
Transmission
Typhoid is spread when a person drinks or
eats food and water contaminated by human waste (stool or
urine) containing Salmonella typhi bacteria.
A person who no longer has symptoms but
still transmits the bacteria is called a "carrier." Carriers
must be extra careful with their personal hygiene. They
should not work in restaurants or places where food is
handled until a health care provider determines they no
longer carry the bacteria.
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Prevention
Wash hands well with soap and water after
going to the bathroom and before preparing food items.
If traveling to a foreign country, be sure
the drinking water is safe. People who travel to areas where
typhoid fever is common should avoid eating raw vegetables
and other foods served or stored at room temperature. Foods
served very hot, bottled carbonated beverages, and raw foods
that can be peeled are generally safe. If water is not known
to be safe, it should be boiled or chlorinated before being
used for drinking or brushing teeth.
Maintain cleanliness and proper sanitation
at all times, especially after a flood or other natural
disaster. People can be vaccinated against typhoid.
Vaccination is not usually needed in the U.S. It is usually
recommended only for international travelers going to
developing countries where exposure to contaminated food or
water is likely.
Treatment
The bacteria can be identified from the
stool (bowel movement) and sometimes from blood or urine. A
person who shows symptoms of typhoid fever should consult
his/her physician immediately.
For more information:
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