Self-Care Guidelines
If you have traveled to an area of the world where typhoid is endemic and you exhibit the symptoms listed above, seek medical attention and let your doctor know about your travel history. Until you can see the doctor, try to stay hydrated, preferably with a liquid that contains some sugar and electrolytes, such as a sports drink. Drink at least 2 liters of this liquid a day. Eat a bland (not spicy) low-fat diet, avoiding milk and dairy products until the diarrhea improves. Practice good hand hygiene, as the bacteria can be easily spread from one person to another through fecal contamination.
When to Seek Medical Care
For any illness with high fever, rash, and gastrointestinal symptoms, it is a good idea to consult a doctor. There are very few cases of typhoid fever diagnosed in the United States every year, and most are in recently returned international travelers. Make sure to tell your doctor where you have recently been, or if you are traveling when the symptoms begin, seek medical care wherever you are. Typhoid fever can be difficult to diagnose by symptoms alone, but your doctor can easily test your stool for the presence of the
S. Typhi bacterium.
Signs and Symptoms
