Enteric fever

Fluids and electrolytes may be given through a vein (intravenously), or you may be asked to drink uncontaminated water with electrolyte packets.

Appropriate antibiotics are given to kill the bacteria. There are increasing rates of antibiotic resistance throughout the world, so your health care provider will check current recommendations before choosing an antibiotic.

Symptoms usually improve in 2 to 4 weeks with treatment. The outcome is likely to be good with early treatment, but becomes poor if complications develop.

Symptoms may return if the treatment has not completely cured the infection.

• Intestinal hemorrhage (severe GI bleeding)
• Intestinal perforation
• Kidney failure
• Peritonitis

Call your health care provider if:

• You have had any known exposure to typhoid fever
• You have been in an endemic area and you develop symptoms of typhoid fever
• You have had typhoid fever and the symptoms return
• You develop severe abdominal pain, decreased urine output, or other new symptoms

Images

Fly

Digestive system organs

Salmonella typhi organism

Previous Section

Typhoid fever Symptoms

Next Section

Typhoid fever Prevention

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)