Causes of Typhoid Fever
A bacteria strain called Salmonella enterica serotype typhi causes typhoid fever. Other strains of salmonella bacteria cause a similar disease called paratyphoid fever.
People pick up the bacteria most often in places where outbreaks are common. The bacteria pass out of the body in the stool and urine of people who are carrying the bacteria. Without careful hand-washing after going to the bathroom, the bacteria can move from the hands to objects or other people.
The bacteria also can spread from a person who carries the bacteria. It can spread on food that isn’t cooked, such as raw fruits without a peel. In places where water isn’t treated to kill germs, you can pick up the bacteria from that source. This includes drinking water, using ice made from untreated water, or drinking unpasteurized milk or juice.
Typhoid carriers
Even after antibiotic treatment, a small number of people who recover from typhoid fever still have bacteria living in their bodies. These people are known as chronic carriers. They no longer have symptoms of the disease. But they still shed the bacteria in their stools and spread it.
Risk Factors of Typhoid Fever
Typhoid fever is a serious worldwide threat and affects millions of people each year. Places with the highest number of cases or with regular outbreaks are Africa and South Asia. But cases are recorded worldwide, often due to travelers to and from these areas.
If you live in a country where typhoid fever is rare, you’re at increased risk if you:
- Work in or travel to areas where typhoid fever is established, especially if you travel to visit family or friends. People visiting loved ones may have higher social pressure to drink or eat foods that present a higher risk.
- Work as a clinical microbiologist handling Salmonella enterica serotype typhi bacteria.
- Have close contact with someone who is infected or has recently been infected with typhoid fever.