Typhoid fever

A01.0

Note: Notifiable condition.


DESCRIPTION

A septicaemic illness with fever caused by the micro-organism Salmonella typhi.
The cause of the fever is difficult to diagnose except in an epidemic.
It may present with:

  • acute abdomen. See: Abdominal pain.
  • prolonged or high fever in a previously healthy individual
  • fever with a slower pulse rate than expected
  • headache and convulsions
  • constipation during the first week
  • diarrhoea may occur later in the illness and may be accompanied by frank bleeding
  • diagnosis is confirmed only by stool culture or blood tests.

MEDICINE TREATMENT

Treat dehydration if present and refer.

REFERRAL

Urgent

All cases or suspected cases.