How to Know Typhoid Fever Symptoms

As many as 20 million people a year are infected with typhoid fever. While the disease isn't very common within the United States or other developed nations, the Salmonella Typhi bacteria that causes typhoid fever is still prevalent throughout Africa and South America. To protect yourself from typhoid fever, you'll need to know how to diagnose the symptoms of the disease.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Check for signs of dehydration, as this is one of the initial symptoms of typhoid fever.

2. Take your temperature regularly. One of the first symptoms of typhoid fever is a fever that rises rapidly. You normal body temperature should be 98.6 degrees F, though people suffering from typhoid fever often report fevers as high as 104 degrees F.

3. Learn how to spot the signs of gastroenteritis. This condition can lead to stomach cramping or discomfort. Though it's commonly referred to as "stomach flu," gastroenteritis is caused by an inflammation of the intestinal tract and not exposure to influenza germs.

4. Inspect your body for any signs of a skin rash. While rashes aren't always a symptom of typhoid fever, some sufferers will experience an outbreak of flat red spots. This rash can emerge in different places all over your body.

5. Pay attention to your bowel movements. Know the frequency and consistency of your bowel movements, as diarrhea is one of the most common symptoms of typhoid fever. Diarrhea caused by typhoid is usually green in color and accompanied by a powerful stench.

6. Keep track of your heart rate. Make sure that your heart is beating at least sixty times per minute. Lower heart rates, known as bradycardia, can be an indication that you've been exposed to Salmonella Tyhphi.

7. Make sure you're maintaining an even mental state. Some patients have reported experiencing delirium or confusion while suffering from typhoid fever. This condition is often called "nervous fever."

8. Listen for breathing difficulties. "Rhonchi" is the term commonly used to describe a rattling, congested sound coming from a patient's bronchial airways.

9. Check to see if your abdomen appears swollen. Your stomach may also feel tender and inflamed, especially in the lower right portion.

10. Visit the official web site for the Centers for Disease Control to know more about typhoid fever. It has compiled expert advice for how to diagnose and treat a case of typhoid fever (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• Failure to diagnose and treat a case of typhoid fever can lead to other serious health problems, such as cholecystitis (inflamed gall bladder), osteitis (inflamed bones) or endocarditis (inflamed heart). Untreated typhoid fever can cause irreparable damage to your heart's valves.

Resources

• Typhoid fever information from the Centers for Disease Control

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