Enteric fever

Early symptoms include fever, general ill-feeling, and abdominal pain. A high (typically over 103 degrees Fahrenheit) fever and severe diarrhea occur as the disease gets worse.

Some people with typhoid fever develop a rash called "rose spots," which are small red spots on the abdomen and chest.

Other symptoms that occur include:

• Abdominal tenderness
• Agitation
• Bloody stools
• Chills
• Confusion
• Difficulty paying attention (attention deficit)
• Delirium
• Fluctuating mood
• Hallucinations
• Nosebleeds
• Severe fatigue
• Slow, sluggish, lethargic feeling
• Weakness

A complete blood count (CBC) will show a high number of white blood cells.

A blood culture during the first week of the fever can show S. typhi bacteria.

Other tests that can help diagnose this condition include:

• ELISA urine test to look for the bacteria that cause Typhoid fever
• Fluorescent antibody study to look for substances that are specific to Typhoid bacteria
• Platelet count (platelet count will be low)
• Stool culture

Images

Fly

Digestive system organs

Salmonella typhi organism

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Typhoid fever Overview

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Typhoid fever Treatment

Review Date: 06/09/2011
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)