Typhoid is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi. It is spread by drinking water or eating food contaminated with infected feces. Initial symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, abdominal pain, and constipation. Later, diarrhea develops and a rash appears on the chest and abdomen.
Occasionally, complications may develop, such as bleeding in the intestine or perforation of the intestinal wall, which may be life-threatening.
Treatment with antibiotics usually brings the disease under control within a few days. However, if severe complications have developed, surgery may be needed.
Several vaccines against typhoid are available, but none gives total protection.
Scrupulous attention to personal hygiene and to water and food hygiene is also needed to reduce the risk of infection.

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