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Typhoid Fever &
Diphtheria
What are they?
Content source: National Center for Immunization and
Respiratory Diseases: Division of Bacterial Diseases
What is Typhoid Fever?

Typhoid fever is a life-threatening illness
caused by the bacterium Salmonella
Typhi. In the United States about 400
cases occur each year, and 75% of these
are acquired while traveling
internationally. Typhoid fever is still
common in the developing world, where it
affects about 21.5 million persons each
year.
How is it spread?

Persons with typhoid fever carry the bacteria in
their bloodstream and intestinal tract. A small
number of persons, called carriers , recover from
typhoid fever but continue to carry the bacteria.
Both ill persons and carriers shed S. Typhi in their
feces (stool).
How is it spread?

You can get typhoid fever if you eat food or drink
beverages that have been handled by a person
who is shedding S. Typhi or if sewage
contaminated with S. Typhi bacteria gets into the
water you use for drinking or washing food.

Typhoid fever is more common in areas of the
world where handwashing is less frequent and
water is likely to be contaminated with sewage.
Symptoms
Sustained fever as high as 103° to 104° F
(39° to 40° C).
 Feel weak, or have stomach pains,
headache, or loss of appetite.
 May have a rash of flat, rose-colored
spots.

Treatment: Antibiotics

Persons given antibiotics usually begin to
feel better within 2 to 3 days, and deaths
rarely occur. However, persons who do not
get treatment may continue to have fever
for weeks or months, and as many as
20% may die from complications of the
infection.
Diphtheria
The bacteria most commonly infects the
nose and throat. The throat infection
causes a gray to black, tough, fiber-like
covering, which can block the airways. In
some cases, diphtheria may first infect the
skin, producing skin lesions.
 Antitoxin only in U.S.
 Diphtheria remains in developing
countries. The countries of the former
Soviet Union have reported >150,000
cases in an epidemic which began in 1990.

Source for slides to follow: University of Washington School of Medicine
How does it spread?
Direct person-to-person transmission
(respiratory and physical contact) and
through contaminated food and objects.
 Because of widespread and routine
childhood DPT immunizations, diphtheria
is now rare in many parts of the world.
There are fewer than five cases of
diphtheria a year in the United States.
 Risk factors for developing nations:
crowded environments, poor hygiene, and
lack of immunization.
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Symptoms
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Basically, it
ends in
suffocation
…
Bluish coloration of the skin
Bloody, watery drainage from nose
Breathing problems
Difficulty breathing
No breathing
Rapid breathing
Stridor, high-pitched breathing sound caused by blockage
Chills
Croup-like (barking) cough
Drooling (airway blockage)
Fever
Hoarseness
Painful swallowing
Skin lesions (usually seen in tropical areas)
Sore throat (may range from mild to severe)
TREATMENT: antitoxin and antibiotics