Definition: Typhoid fever is a systemic illness caused by Salmonella typhi or Salmonella paratyphi, transmitted through contaminated food or water.

• Symptoms:
  • Fever (often high, 39–40°C)
  • Headache, malaise, and myalgias
  • Relative bradycardia (pulse lower than expected for fever)
  • Abdominal pain, constipation, or diarrhea
  • Rose spots (transient, non-itchy rash) in ~20–30% of cases
• Diagnosis:
  • Blood culture (gold standard, but sensitivity decreases after 5–7 days of illness)
  • Stool culture (less sensitive)
  • Widal test (not recommended due to low specificity)
• Treatment:
  • First-line: Ceftriaxone (3rd-generation cephalosporin) or azithromycin (if resistance suspected)
  • Alternative: Ciprofloxacin (if local resistance is low)
  • Supportive care: Hydration, antipyretics (avoid NSAIDs if dengue not ruled out)
• Prevention:
  • Vaccination (Ty21a oral vaccine or Vi polysaccharide vaccine)
  • Safe food/water practices, hand hygiene

Rationale: Typhoid fever is a serious illness requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent complications (e.g., intestinal perforation, sepsis). Antibiotic resistance is increasing, so local resistance patterns should guide therapy.