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$Unique_ID{BRK04298}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Typhoid}
$Subject{Typhoid Typhoid Fever Salmonella Typhi Infection Enteric Fever
Salmonella Botulism Ptomaine Poisoning Cholera }
$Volume{}
$Log{}
Copyright (C) 1989, 1990 International Organization for Rare Disorders,
Inc.
730:
Typhoid
** IMPORTANT **
It is possible that the main title of the article (Typhoid) is not the
name you expected. Please check the SYNONYM listing to find the alternate
names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.
Synonyms
Typhoid Fever
Salmonella Typhi Infection
Enteric Fever
Information on the following diseases can be found in the Related
Disorders section of this report:
Salmonella
Botulism
Ptomaine Poisoning
Cholera
General Discussion
** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.
Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection that is rare in the United States.
However it is not rare in many other countries. Major symptoms may include
unusually high fever, headache, loss of appetite, fatigue, abdominal pain and
diarrhea.
Symptoms
Typhoid is an intestinal infection caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi.
Antibodies to the bacteria can be detected in the blood (Widal's test).
Salmonella typhi can be cultured from the patient's blood, urine and feces as
well. The infection incubates for one or two weeks. A gradual development
of headache, loss of appetite, fatigue and constipation occurs. During the
following weeks there is a gradual rise in temperature to about 104 F,
abdominal pain, a slowed pulse rate, nosebleeds, rose-colored spots on the
chest and diarrhea. Intestinal ulceration and bleeding can lead to anemia
and peritonitis. These conditions may be fatal if the patient is left
untreated. Heart failure may also occur.
Even after a complete recovery from Typhoid fever the patient may remain
a carrier of the bacteria for a number of weeks, months or even years. Those
who have had Typhoid should be very careful of personal hygiene and avoid
handling food that other people eat until the bacteria is no longer present
in the patient's feces.
Causes
Typhoid is caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi. It is the most serious
of the Salmonella infections. Contaminated food or water is most often the
source of a Typhoid outbreak. Contact with a carrier of the bacterium,
polluted water, infected food or milk, shellfish harvested from polluted
water, or fresh vegetables grown in contaminated soil are all sources of the
Salmonella Typhi bacterium. People who have had Typhoid are "carriers" until
the bacteria is completely gone from their body. If they touch food served
to other people when their hands are not properly washed, they can spread
Typhoid to those who eat the food.
Affected Population
Typhoid affects males and females in equal numbers. In the United States
there are only about 500 cases of Typhoid diagnosed each year, and over 62%
of these are contracted in other countries. The major sources of cases in
the United States between the years 1975-1984 were Mexico (39%) and India
(14%). In Mexico, Latin America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East where the
fatality rate is as high as 10% each year, Typhoid is still a serious health
problem. In the U.S., outbreaks are usually traced to a Typhoid carrier in
the food handling business (e.g. restaurants, hotels, etc.).
Related Disorders
Symptoms of the following disorders can be similar to those of Typhoid fever.
Comparisons may be useful for a differential diagnosis:
Salmonella poisoning is a form of gastroenteritis. It is the most common
cause of outbreaks of foodborne disease in the United States. This bacteria
may infect meat, dairy and vegetable products. Outbreaks are most common in
warm weather and in children under the age of seven. Nausea, vomiting, and
chills are the most common initial symptoms. These are followed by abdominal
pain, diarrhea and fever which may last from five days to several weeks. The
CDC estimates that there are approximately 2 to 4 million Salmonellosis cases
in the United States each year.
Botulism is a form of gastroenteritis caused by a bacterial toxin. This
toxin is a neuromuscular poison. It occurs in three forms: foodborne,
wound, and infantile botulism. The most common form is foodborne. The
patient may experience weakness, fatigue, headache, and dizziness as well as
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. (For more information on this
disorder, choose "Botulism" as your search term in the Rare Disease
Database).
Ptomaine Poisoning is the fourth most common cause of bacterial foodborne
disease in the United States. It is caused by a protein enterotoxin that is
produced after eating infected food, usually meat products. The disease is
characterized by severe abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Nausea often occurs
as well. However, vomiting and fever are rare.
Cholera is a bacterial infection involving the entire small intestine and
marked by severe diarrhea and vomiting. Symptoms are caused by a toxin
released by the Vibrio cholerae bacteria. Drinking water, or eating seafood,
vegetables, and other foods contaminated with the excrement of Cholera
patients spreads the disease. (For more information on this disorder, choose
"Cholera" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database).
Therapies: Standard
Typhoid is treated with the antibiotic drugs chloramphenicol, ampicillin,
cefoperazone, pefloxacin, co-trimoxazole or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
Precautions to take, especially when visiting countries with unsanitary
conditions, includes the practice of good personal hygiene and careful
washing of hands. Avoid drinking untreated water, drinks served with ice,
unpeeled fruits and vegetables, and other food that is cooked and not served
hot. In food preparation; wash and sanitize utensils in hot water; carefully
clean cutting boards, work areas and equipment; keep hot foods at 165 F and
cold foods at 40 F or colder to avoid the possible growth of bacteria in
food. Typhoid vaccination and food precautions are necessary before
traveling to developing countries where this kind of disease is prevalent.
Therapies: Investigational
Scientists are investigating vaccines that will hopefully provide the
traveler full protection against Typhoid without severe side-effects.
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
July 1990. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep
every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate.
Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most
current information about this disorder.
Resources
For more information on Typhoid, please contact:
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 8923
New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
(203) 746-6518
Center for Disease Control (CDC)
1600 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30333
404-329-3534
NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20892
(301) 496-5717
References
INTERNAL MEDICINE, 2nd Ed.: Jay H. Stein, ed.-in-chief; Little, Brown and
Co., 1987. Pp. 1664-1691, 1696.
SALMONELLA TYPHI INFECTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES, 1975-1984: INCREASING
ROLE OF FOREIGN TRAVEL , C.A. Ryan, et al.; Rev Infect Dis (January-February,
1989, issue 11 (1)). Pp. 1-8.
CEFOPERAZONE COMPARED WITH CHLORAMPHENICOL IN THE TREATMENT OF TYPHOID
FEVER. F. Paradisi, Chemotherapy (1988, issue 34 (1)). Pp. 71-76.
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE WITH PEFLOXACIN IN THE THERAPY OF TYPHOID FEVER. P.
Chistiano, et al.; Infection (March-April, 1989, issue 17 (2)). Pp. 86-67.
ASSESSMENT ON ANTIMICROBIAL TREATMENT OF ACUTE TYPHOID AND PARATYPHOID
FEVERS IN BRITAIN AND THE NETHERLANDS 1971-1980. R.J. Fallon, et al.; J
Infect (March, 1988, issue 16 (2)). Pp. 129-134.
MARY MALLON'S TRAIL OF TYPHOID, C. Cary, FDA Consumer, (June, 1989), Pp.
18-21. (See article in Prevalent Disorders section of NORD Services).