Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection spread through food or water that has been contaminated with the stool of an infected person. It is common in Afghanistan, especially where drinking water is not safe. Without proper treatment it can cause serious problems, such as bleeding or a hole in the bowel.
Symptoms
Fever that rises slowly over several days and stays high
Headache
Stomach pain
Constipation or diarrhoea
Weakness and tiredness
Loss of appetite
Dry cough
Causes
Salmonella Typhi bacteria
Drinking unsafe water
Eating food prepared by someone who carries the germ and did not wash their hands
Raw vegetables or salads washed in dirty water
Poor sanitation and open sewage
Prevention
Drink boiled or treated water
Wash hands with soap after using the toilet and before eating or cooking
Eat food that is freshly cooked and hot
Talk to a doctor
Get advice by video, voice or chat without leaving home.
Wash fruit and vegetables with clean water, or peel them
Avoid raw food and drinks from street sellers
Typhoid vaccine, especially for people at high risk
Treatment
Antibiotics prescribed by a doctor after a blood or stool test; finish the full course
Many typhoid germs are now resistant to common antibiotics, so the choice must be made by a doctor
Rest and plenty of fluids
Soft, easy-to-digest food
Hospital care for severe illness or complications
Do not start antibiotics or other prescription medicines without a doctor
Common questions
Is the Widal test enough to diagnose typhoid?
Not always. The Widal test often gives false results, especially in places where typhoid is common. A blood culture is more reliable. Your doctor will decide which test is needed.
Can typhoid come back?
Yes. Typhoid can return if the antibiotic course is not finished. Some people also carry the germ after they recover and can spread it, so careful handwashing is important.
