Is Salmonella Typhi Dangerous?

Salmonella typhi is the causative agent of typhoid fever (enteric fever). Typhoid is uncommon in developed countries, but may be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in less developed countries.

Causes

Salmonella typhi infection is acquired from exposure to food or drinking water contaminated with urine or feces from infected animals and humans. Chronic carriers of salmonella typhi can infect others but show no signs of infection themselves.

Common Symptoms of Typhoid Fever

Symptoms of typhoid fever include characteristic high fever, weakness, lethargy, or muscle pain; headache; loss of appetite; and diarrhea or constipation.

Uncommon Symptoms of Typhoid Fever

In severe cases, typhoid fever may produce infection of the lining of the central nervous system (meningitis). Symptoms of meningitis include sleepiness, mental confusion, neck stiffness, and seizures.

Course

Symptoms develop within one to three weeks of exposure and may take weeks to resolve.

Mortality

Mortality approaches 10 percent without treatment and may be reduced to less than 1 percent with appropriate antibiotics. Unfortunately, antibiotic resistance is a growing problem.

References

• World Health Organization Typhoid Fever Information
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Typhoid Fever General Information

Resources

• United States Government Food Safety Information Gateway