What to expect from antibiotic treatment for typhoid fever

A clinician chooses an antibiotic using your symptoms, travel or food exposure, test results, allergies and local resistance patterns. Typhoid fever can affect the whole body, so treatment may need close supervision, particularly when vomiting prevents tablets staying down or when dehydration is present.

Fever may not vanish immediately after treatment begins. Appetite and energy often return gradually. Even when you feel better, bacteria can remain and the infection can return if doses are stopped early. Follow-up helps confirm that recovery is progressing and considers whether further testing is needed.

Take each dose exactly as prescribed and complete the planned course unless your clinician changes it. Sip safe fluids regularly, rest, and choose small meals as appetite returns. Wash hands with soap after using the toilet and before handling food; do not prepare food for others while unwell or until your clinician confirms it is safe.

Tell the care team about rash, diarrhoea, vomiting, pregnancy, allergies and every medicine or supplement you use. Keep follow-up appointments even if fever improves, because relapse and continued shedding may need assessment.

Seek urgent care for severe abdominal pain or swelling, confusion, fainting, breathing difficulty, persistent vomiting, blood in stool or vomit, or inability to drink. Contact your clinician promptly if fever worsens, returns after improving, or you develop a widespread rash or yellowing of the skin.

Ask when improvement should begin, what to do if a dose is vomited, which foods and medicines may interact, when you can return to work or food handling, and whether follow-up tests are required.