typhoid

An infectious disease due to a species of salmonella causing fever, a characteristic rash, lymph node and spleen enlargement, gastrointestinal tract disturbance with bleeding and ulceration, and usually marked malaise or prostration. Typhoid (also known as typhoid fever) is contracted from other cases or from disease carriers, the latter often harboring asymptomatic infection in the gallbladder or urine, with contaminated food and water as major vectors. Carriers must be treated with antibiotics (and have their gallbladder removed if this site is the source); they must also stop handling food until they are free of the bacteria. Vaccination may help protect high risk persons; antibiotics – chloromycetin (chloramphenicol) or cotrimoxazole – from the treatment of choice.

Related category

• HEALTH AND DISEASE

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