Typhoid fever is an illness that many people have heard of, but few know too much about beyond the name. Typhoid, also called enteric fever, is an illness caused by the salmonella bacteria. It’s very uncommon in places like the United States, where water is treated for such bacteria before making its way to someone’s faucet, and where human waste disposal is managed well. Typically seen in Africa and South Asia, it can cause debilitating symptoms that can eventually become a serious life-threatening illness.

Symptoms of typhoid typically don’t begin until 1-3 weeks after exposure. Symptoms can include low fever that increases throughout the day into a much higher fever, chills, fatigue, diarrhea, and rash. After a few weeks, symptoms such as sepsis and a swollen stomach can occur. The most serious cases of typhoid can cause symptoms like confusion, inability to pay attention, and inability to react to the world around the person. These are life-threatening complications.

Treatment for typhoid fever should begin as soon as a person thinks they may have contracted it. Typical treatment will include antibiotics to kill the salmonella bacteria that causes the illness, fluids for dehydration, and in some severe cases, surgery to repair damage to the intestines.

Prevention of typhoid is rather simple, but important if you live in, or are traveling to, an area where there is increased risk. There are two different vaccinations against typhoid in the US, but both need to be repeated at some point as they lose efficacy over time. Other prevention techniques are diligent handwashing, avoiding using untreated water, and choosing hot foods over raw foods.