Written by Vivekananda Hospital Editorial Team | Medically reviewed by Dr. Ravi Sishir Reddy (MBBS, MD General Medicine)
Consultant Physician, Internal Medicine & Critical Care, Vivekananda Hospital, Begumpet | Last reviewed: 11 June 2026
See a Doctor Urgently If
Severe stomach pain, persistent vomiting, blood in stool, a swollen and tender abdomen, confusion or extreme drowsiness, or a fever that keeps climbing past a week. Untreated typhoid can cause dangerous complications such as intestinal bleeding. Call +91 7207904418.
Key Takeaways
- 01 Typhoid is a bacterial infection spread through contaminated food and water. Its hallmark is a fever that rises step by step over several days.
- 02 It is confirmed with a blood test. Blood culture is the most accurate; the Widal test is common but less reliable on its own.
- 03 Typhoid is treated with antibiotics, and you must finish the full course even after you feel better. Stopping early is the main cause of relapse and resistance.
- 04 It is preventable. Safe drinking water, clean food, hand washing, and the typhoid vaccine all reduce your risk.
Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection caused by Salmonella Typhi, spread through food and water contaminated by an infected person. The classic sign is a fever that climbs higher each day over a week, with headache, weakness, stomach pain, and loss of appetite. It is diagnosed with a blood test and treated with a full course of antibiotics. With timely treatment most people recover well, but stopping antibiotics early or ignoring the illness can lead to serious complications.
"The biggest mistake I see with typhoid is patients stopping the antibiotic the moment the fever drops, around day four or five. The fever going down does not mean the bacteria are cleared. Stopping early is why typhoid comes back and why we now see drug-resistant strains. Finish the full course your doctor prescribes, every single dose, even when you feel completely fine."
Dr. Ravi Sishir Reddy, Consultant Physician, Vivekananda Hospital Begumpet
Typhoid remains common across India, where it spreads easily through contaminated water and street food, and cases rise during the monsoon when water supplies are more easily contaminated. In a city like Hyderabad, a prolonged fever with stomach symptoms during these months is a typhoid suspect until a blood test says otherwise.
Symptoms of Typhoid
Symptoms usually start 1 to 3 weeks after exposure and build gradually, which is part of what sets typhoid apart from a sudden viral fever.
Common symptoms
- Fever that rises step by step, often higher in the evening
- Persistent headache
- Weakness and fatigue
- Stomach pain and discomfort
- Loss of appetite
- Constipation or diarrhoea
As it progresses
- Sustained high fever
- Rose-coloured spots on the chest or abdomen in some cases
- Enlarged spleen or liver
- Marked tiredness and a "toxic" look
- In severe cases, confusion
What Causes It, and How It Is Diagnosed
Typhoid is caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi. It spreads when food or water contaminated with the faeces of an infected person is swallowed. Poor sanitation, unsafe drinking water, and street food prepared in unhygienic conditions are the usual routes. A person can carry and spread the bacteria even without obvious symptoms.
Diagnosis is by blood test. A blood culture is the most accurate method and can also guide which antibiotic will work. The Widal test is widely used and inexpensive, but it can give false positives and false negatives, so doctors interpret it alongside symptoms and timing rather than relying on it alone. A complete blood count and other tests help assess severity.
Treatment
Typhoid is treated with antibiotics chosen by your doctor based on local resistance patterns and, where available, the blood culture result. Most people with uncomplicated typhoid recover at home with oral antibiotics, rest, fluids, and paracetamol for fever. More severe cases, or those who cannot keep fluids down, may need hospital admission and intravenous antibiotics.
The one rule that matters most
Complete the entire antibiotic course exactly as prescribed, even after the fever has gone and you feel normal. The fever often settles before the bacteria are fully cleared. Stopping early is the main cause of relapse and a major driver of antibiotic-resistant typhoid. Never self-prescribe antibiotics, and never stop them on your own.
Complications of untreated typhoid include intestinal bleeding and, rarely, a hole in the bowel wall, which is a surgical emergency. These are uncommon with proper treatment, which is exactly why early diagnosis and finishing the course matter so much.
How to Prevent Typhoid
Typhoid is preventable, and the steps are simple and within your control, especially during monsoon.
Drink safe water only. Use boiled, filtered, or sealed bottled water, especially in the rainy season.
Eat freshly cooked food served hot. Avoid cut fruit and street food washed in unsafe water.
Wash hands with soap before eating and after using the toilet.
Consider the typhoid vaccine, especially for children and before travel. Ask your doctor.
Related Specialists at Vivekananda Hospital
- Dr. M. Aravind Kumar (MBBS, MD General Medicine), Internal Medicine, infectious diseases. View profile
- Dr. Shalini Mehrotra (MBBS, DCH, DNB Paediatrics), for typhoid in children. View profile
Frequently Asked Questions
About the Medical Reviewer
Dr. Ravi Sishir Reddy (MBBS, MD General Medicine) is a full-time Consultant Physician at Vivekananda Hospital, Begumpet, Hyderabad, with over 15 years of experience in internal medicine, critical care, and the management of fevers and infectious diseases including typhoid. NMC registration verifiable on the Indian Medical Register.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general health information and education only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Typhoid needs assessment and antibiotics prescribed by a qualified doctor. Never self-medicate with antibiotics. If you have a prolonged fever or any warning sign, call +91 7207904418.
References: WHO Typhoid fact sheet | Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) | National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), India.