Typhoid fever
Overview
Typhoid fever is an infection spread through unclean food or water. It can cause serious problems if not treated. You should have a typhoid vaccination if you're travelling to an area where there's a risk of getting it.
Symptoms
Symptoms of typhoid fever usually begin within 3 weeks of being infected but sometimes can take up to 6 weeks. Symptoms of typhoid include: high temperature, which may slowly get worse over a few daysheadachecoughingchills, aches and painsfeeling tired or sicknot pooing as often as normal or finding it hard to poo (constipation)not feeling hungry Tummy ache and diarrhoea are also common, but these usually happen after the other symptoms. Some people also get a rash of light-pink spots, usually on the upper body. This can be hard to see on black or brown skin. If typhoid fever is not treated, it can lead to serious problems like internal bleeding or an infection in the lining of the tummy (peritonitis).
Treatment
Typhoid fever is treated with antibiotics. You may also be given medicine to lower your temperature. You should start to feel better but may continue to have a high temperature for around 5 days after starting treatment. It's important to finish all the antibiotics you're given even if you feel better. You may have to stay off work until tests of your poo show you no longer have typhoid fever if you work in certain jobs, such as with food, in healthcare or with young children. Children under 5 may also need to stay off school or nursery until tests show they are not infected.