Typhoid Fever

Typhoid fever is an illness caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi (S. Typhi). It infects your small intestines (gut) and causes high fever, stomach pain and other symptoms. Typhoid fever is also called enteric fever.

You’ll commonly hear paratyphoid fever mentioned along with typhoid. Paratyphoid fever is similar to typhoid with more mild symptoms. It’s caused by Salmonella Paratyphi (S. Paratyphi).

S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi are different than the Salmonella bacteria that cause salmonellosis, a common type of food poisoning.

Who does typhoid fever affect?

Typhoid fever is most common in rural areas of developing countries where there isn’t modern sanitation. Countries in South and Southeast Asia, Central and South America, Africa and the Caribbean are most affected by typhoid. Travelers are most at risk when visiting Pakistan, India or Bangladesh.

Children are more likely to get typhoid than adults.

How common is typhoid fever?

It’s estimated that 11 million to 21 million people around the world get typhoid each year. It’s rare in the U.S., Canada, Japan, Western Europe and Australia.

What’s a long-term carrier of typhoid fever?

Some people continue to be contagious with typhoid fever even after they’ve recovered (long-term carrier). You can spread typhoid for a year or more with no symptoms. It’s important to get tested for S. Typhi after you feel better to make sure you can’t spread it to other people.

What’s the difference between typhoid and typhus?

While the names sound the same, typhoid and typhus are different illnesses, caused by different bacteria. The symptoms are similar — so much so that doctors used to think they were the same illness. We now know they’re different illnesses, but the similar name stuck (and so did the confusion it causes).