Doctor's Notes on Typhoid Fever (Enteric Fever)
Typhoid fever (enteric fever) is a potentially life-threatening infectious disease caused by Salmonella typhi bacteria that can, if untreated, have a 10%-30% mortality rate due to intestinal hemorrhage or perforation. The classic signs and symptoms are
Untreated, the symptoms can last for months in some individuals. Other signs and symptoms include a slow heart rate, abdominal pains, diarrhea, and/or constipation. Some patients develop a rash on their chest and abdomen (flat and rose-colored rash termed rose spots), and some have enlarged livers and spleens.
Salmonella typhi bacteria are ingested in contaminated food or fluids, enter ileal tissue, survive in macrophage cells, are carried to the lymphatic system, and then can enter the blood. Some Salmonella typhi reach the gallbladder and then are shed into the feces, ready to infect others. Some people become carriers; they shed bacteria but do not have active signs or symptoms.
What Are the Treatments for Typhoid Fever?
Antibiotic therapy is the only effective treatment for typhoid fever. The antibiotics that are used to treat this bacterial infection include the following:
- Ciprofloxacin
- Ofloxacin
- Azithromycin
- Ceftriaxone (IV only) -- severe infections, used in children instead of ciprofloxacin
If the infecting strain of bacteria are resistant to certain antibiotics, your doctor may choose other antimicrobials. Other supportive treatments may include IV fluids to replace fluid losses and surgery if the weakened intestine develops holes.
Stomach Pain : Nausea & Other Causes Quiz

Bowel regularity means a bowel movement every day.
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Antibiotics
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Fever in Adults
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Rash
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Stomach Pain (Abdominal Pain) in Children
Abdominal pain in children can range from trivial to life-threatening. Symptoms of abdominal pain range from vomiting, diarrhea, fever, groin pain, urinary problems, or skin rash. The location of the abdominal pain may be around the belly button, occurs only at night, while eating. The pain pain also may be intermittent. Treatment of abdominal pain in children is depends on the cause. Possible causes of abdominal pain in children include infections, food related (food allergy or food poisoning), poisoning from medication, food, household products, appendicitis, diabetes, or spider bites.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.