TABLE OF CONTENTS

• What Is Typhoid Fever?
• Causes of Typhoid Fever
• Risk Factors for Typhoid Fever
• What Does the Research Say?
• Symptoms of Typhoid Fever
• Diagnosis of Typhoid Fever
• Treatment for Typhoid Fever
• Complications of Typhoid Fever
• Prevention of Typhoid Fever
• FAQs

---

What Is Typhoid Fever?

Typhoid fever is a serious bacterial infection caused by Salmonella typhi. It spreads through contaminated food and drinks or direct contact with an infected person.

Typhoid fever is most prevalent in developing countries with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water. 

Without proper treatment, the disease can lead to severe complications and become life-threatening.

Causes of Typhoid Fever

The primary cause of typhoid fever is the Salmonella typhi bacterium, which enters the body through:

1. Contaminated food and drinks: Consuming food or water tainted with feces or urine from infected individuals. Contamination often occurs when food is prepared or served under poor hygiene conditions.
2. Poor hygiene practices: Failing to wash hands after using the toilet or before eating increases the risk of bacterial exposure, commonly spreading the disease within families and communities.
3. Direct transmission: Sharing eating utensils, towels, or other personal items with an infected person who lacks proper hygiene can transfer the bacteria.
4. Contaminated water: In areas with inadequate sanitation, water used for cooking, cleaning, or drinking may be contaminated with fecal matter containing Salmonella typhi.

This bacterium is resilient and can survive in unsanitary environments for extended periods remaining active in water, raw food, or contaminated surfaces, making transmission particularly easy in regions with limited access to proper sanitation.

Risk Factors for Typhoid Fever

Factors that increase the risk of contracting typhoid fever include:

• Living in areas with limited access to clean water.
• Failing to wash hands regularly with soap.
• Working in laboratories or healthcare facilities where exposure to the bacteria is possible.
• Traveling to countries with high incidence rates of typhoid fever.

What Does the Research Say?

A study published in the Journal of Travel Medicine investigated the risk of typhoid fever among Australian travelers.

By analyzing national typhoid case data alongside international travel records, the research found that the risk varies based on destination.

South Asian countries like Bangladesh posed the highest risk. Additionally, younger travelers and Australian residents returning to their countries of origin had an increased risk of infection.

The findings highlight the importance of targeted prevention strategies for travelers, such as timely vaccination.

Symptoms of Typhoid Fever

Symptoms typically appear 1–2 weeks after exposure and may include:

• High fever, reaching 39–40°C (102–104°F), often increasing gradually.
• Persistent headache that doesn’t respond well to over-the-counter medication.
• Extreme fatigue that disrupts daily activities.
• Abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, or constipation, symptom patterns vary by individual.
• Rose spots, small red rashes that commonly appear on the chest or abdomen.
• Significant loss of appetite, often leading to weight loss.

Without proper treatment, symptoms can worsen into confusion, delirium, or life-threatening complications such as gastrointestinal bleeding.

Diagnosis of Typhoid Fever

To diagnose typhoid fever, doctors may perform:

• Medical history review: Discussing recent travel to endemic regions or suspicious food intake.
• Laboratory tests: Blood, stool, or bone marrow cultures to detect Salmonella typhi. Blood culture is considered the gold standard.
• Widal test: Measures antibodies against typhoid bacteria, although accuracy may vary depending on patient and geographic conditions.

Early and accurate diagnosis is critical for effective treatment.

Typhoid Fever Home Testing via Halodoc

Fever can signal an underlying medical condition. For children, Halodoc offers a home-based fever lab test service, available in Greater Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, and Denpasar.

Benefits of this service include:

• No travel or hospital queues
• Quick response from health workers
• Sterile and direct sample collection
• Free doctor consultation after lab results
• Competitive pricing (Complete Fever Test: IDR 619,000)

Bookings can be made via the Halodoc app or WhatsApp: 0888-0999-9226.

Treatment for Typhoid Fever

Typhoid fever can be cured with various management methods, including:

Antibiotics

Common prescriptions include ciprofloxacin, azithromycin, or ceftriaxone. Choice of drug depends on local bacterial resistance patterns.

Supportive care

Rehydration through oral or IV fluids to replace losses from diarrhea and fever. Easily digestible, soft foods rich in nutrients are recommended.

Hospitalization

Severe cases or complications may require inpatient care with IV antibiotics and close monitoring.

Symptom management

Antipyretics like paracetamol may be used to reduce high fever.

Important: Complete the full course of antibiotics, even if symptoms improve, to avoid relapse or antibiotic resistance.

Complications of Typhoid Fever

If left untreated, typhoid fever can lead to:

• Intestinal perforation, causing peritonitis.
• Bacterial spread to organs like the liver, kidneys, or heart.
• Severe dehydration due to prolonged diarrhea.
• Mental disturbances, such as delirium or confusion.

Immediate medical intervention is essential to prevent fatal outcomes.

Prevention of Typhoid Fever

Preventive measures include:

• Typhoid vaccination, recommended for travelers to endemic areas. Available in oral or injectable form.
• Wash hands with soap after using the toilet and before eating.
• Avoid street food in high-risk areas.
• Consume only well-cooked food and boiled or filtered water.
• Use proper sanitation facilities and avoid open defecation.
• Community education on hygiene and disease transmission.

Typhoid Vaccination at Home via Halodoc

To maximize protection, you and your family can receive the Typhoid (Typhim Vi) vaccine through Halodoc’s homecare service (available in select cities).

Key benefits of vaccination at home include:

• Administered exclusively by certified vaccination doctors
• Strict health protocols
• Post-vaccine observation by medical staff
• Genuine vaccines sourced from approved suppliers
• Time- and cost-efficient
• Prices start from IDR 480,000, with family discounts available
• No queues, no extra charges
• Free doctor chat after test results

Booking is available via the Halodoc app or WhatsApp: 0888-0999-9226.

If typhoid symptoms occur, seek medical help immediately for an accurate diagnosis. 

Contact our English-speaking doctor directly from your smartphone using the Halodoc app. Doctors are available 24 hours to answer your questions.

Don’t wait, early diagnosis and treatment can prevent worsening and transmission.

You can also purchase 100% original and trusted health products from the Halodoc Health Store. No need to leave home, delivery in just 1 hour!

So, what are you waiting for? Download the Halodoc app on Play Store or App Store today!

References:

Mayo Clinic. Accessed in 2025. Typhoid Fever: Symptoms & Causes

Cleveland Clinic. Accessed in 2025. Typhoid Fever

NHS. Accessed in 2025. Typhoid Fever

Penn Medicine. Accessed in 2025. Typhoid Fever

WebMD. Accessed in 2025. Typhoid Fever

Journal of Travel Medicine. Accessed in 2025. Typhoid Fever in Travellers

FAQs

1. What is the difference between “tipes” and “typhoid”?

Both refer to the same illness, typhoid fever, that caused by the Salmonella typhi bacterium.

2. Is typhoid fever dangerous?

Yes. If left untreated, it can lead to life-threatening complications like intestinal bleeding or perforation.

3. How long does recovery take?

With proper antibiotic treatment, symptoms typically improve within 1–2 weeks. Full recovery may take up to 4 weeks. Completing the entire antibiotic course is essential to prevent recurrence or resistance.