Typhoid fever (salmonella typhi infection)
About Typhoid fever (salmonella typhi infection)
A bacterial infection of the gastrointestinal tract caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi. The disease rarely occurs in developed countries. It is most commonly seen in countries with poor sanitary conditions and contaminated water supplies. Vaccines and being careful with food and water consumption while traveling can prevent the infection. There are three stages to the infection. Each stage gets progressively more serious.Symptoms
Severe headache, diarrhea but sometimes constipation, fever, chills, loss of appetite, malaise, fleeting rash (rose spots) appearing on the lower chest and abdomen during the second week of the fever, abdominal pain and tenderness, weakness, fatigue. Salmonella colitis causes bloody stools.Tests & Diagnostics
A history and physical exam will be performed. Tests to establish the diagnosis and determine the damage done by the infection include: antibody testing (fluorescent test), antigen testing (ELISA), blood cultures, body fluid cultures, and tissue cultures.Common tests: Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, EKG, Lipase, MRI, Troponin, Urinalysis (UA), X-ray.
Prescription medications
Conventional treatment summary
Specific therapy depends on the severity of infection but may include: intravenous fluids and electrolytes, antibiotics, and hospital admission. Antibiotics must be chosen carefully because of growing resistance to antibiotics by the bacteria.Medical specialties
Infectious Disease Medicine · Pediatric Infectious Disease Medicine
This page is educational content, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment of Typhoid fever (salmonella typhi infection).