Typhoid Fever
Symptoms of typhoid fever
Source: NHS
In this topic (8)
The symptoms of typhoid fever usually develop oneor two weeks after a person becomes infected with the Salmonella typhi bacteria.
With treatment, the symptoms of typhoid fever should quickly improve within three to five days.
Iftyphoidfever isn'ttreated, it will usually get worse over the course of a few weeks, and there's a significantrisk of life-threatening complications of typhoid fever developing. Without treatment, itcan take weeks, or even months, to fully recover and symptoms can return.
Common symptoms
Common symptoms of typhoid fever can include:
- a high temperature, which can reach up to 39-40C (103-104F)
- Headaches
- muscle aches
- stomach pain
- feeling sick
- loss of appetite
- constipation or diarrhoea (adults tend to get constipation and children tend to get diarrhoea)
- a rash made up of small pink spots on the trunk of the body
- exhaustion
- confusion, such as not knowing where you are or what's going on around you
Seeking medical advice
Seeyour GP as soon as possible if you have symptoms oftyphoid fever (even if you have been vaccinated against it), particularly if you have recently returned from travelling abroad.
It's unlikely that your symptoms will be caused by typhoid fever, but it's best to getthem checked out, in case you need treatment.
If you become ill while travelling abroad, you can get help by:
- contacting a representative of the travel company you booked with
- contacting your travel insurer
- contacting the British consulate in the area you're visiting or, if you're feeling very ill, the local emergency services
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) provides travel advice by country , and the contact details of all the British consulates and embassies in foreign countries .
Before you travel, it's a good idea to make a list of relevant contact details and telephone numbers, in case of an emergency.
Bacteria
Bacteria are tiny, single-celled organisms that live in the body. Some can cause illness and disease and others are good for you.
Constipation
Constipation is when you pass stools less often than usual, or when you have difficulty going to the toilet because your stools are hard and small.
Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea is the passing of frequent watery stools when you go to the toilet.
Fever
A fever is when you have a high body temperature (over 38C or 100.4F).
Articles for Typhoid Fever
'I was lucky to survive without long-term problems'
Dominic Aguiar developed typhoid during a trip to India. He says it was lack of planning that caused the infection.
Causes of typhoid fever
Typhoid fever is caused by a type of bacteria called Salmonella typhi.
Complications of typhoid fever
Complications caused by typhoid fever usually only occur in people who haven't been treated with appropriate antibiotics or who weren't treated straight away.
Diagnosing typhoid fever
See your GP if you think you have typhoid fever, particularly if you've recently returned from travelling abroad.
Introduction
Find out about typhoid fever, what causes it, how it's treated and what you can do to protect yourself if you're travelling to a high-risk area.
Symptoms of typhoid fever
Read about the symptoms of typhoid fever, which usually develop one or two weeks after infection with Salmonella typhi bacteria.
Treating typhoid fever
Typhoid fever can usually be successfully treated with a course of antibiotic medication. Most cases can be treated at home, but hospital admission may be required if the condition is severe.
Typhoid fever vaccination
Read about the two main vaccines against typhoid fever available in the UK - the Vi vaccine which is given as a single injection and the Ty21a vaccine (three capsules).
