4 stages of typhoid fever

Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection that can spread throughout the body, affecting many organs. Without prompt treatment, it can cause serious complications and can be fatal.

It's caused by a bacterium called Salmonella typhi, which is related to the bacteria that cause salmonella food poisoning.

Typhoid fever is highly contagious.

An infected person can pass the bacteria out of their body in their poo or, less commonly, in their pee.

If someone else eats food or drinks water that's been contaminated with a small amount of infected poo or pee, they can become infected with the bacteria and develop typhoid fever.

Read more about the causes of typhoid fever.

Who's affected?

Typhoid fever is most common in parts of the world that have poor sanitation and limited access to clean water.

Worldwide, children are thought to be most at risk of developing typhoid fever.

This may be because their immune system (the body's natural defence against infection and illness) is still developing.

But children with typhoid fever tend to have mi

how is typhoid fever transmitted

how is typhoid fever transmitted from person to person