Typoid Fever

About Typoid Fever

Typhoid fever, also known as enteric fever, is a potentially fatal multisystemic illness caused primarily by Salmonella enterica serotype typhi and, to a lesser extent, S enterica serotypes paratyphi A, B, and C. The terms typhoid and enteric fever are commonly used to describe both major serotypes.

Typhoid fever has a wide variety of presentations that range from an overwhelming multisystemic illness to relatively minor cases of diarrhea with low-grade fever. The classic presentation is fever, malaise, diffuse abdominal pain, and constipation. Untreated typhoid fever may progress to delirium, obtundation, intestinal hemorrhage, bowel perforation, and death within 1 month of onset. Survivors may be left with long-term or permanent neuropsychiatric complications.