When is antibiotic treatment recommended for typhoid fever?

Typhoid fever can cause a persistent fever, headache, tiredness, abdominal symptoms and changes in bowel habits after exposure to contaminated food or water. Because it can affect the whole body, suspected illness needs prompt medical assessment rather than self-treatment. A clinician considers travel and exposure history, examination findings and laboratory tests. The antibiotic choice may depend on resistance patterns and test results, and an alternative medicine may be needed if the first choice is unsuitable.

Contact a clinician promptly if typhoid fever is possible, especially after travel or contact with a confirmed case. Drink safe fluids, rest and follow advice about food preparation and handwashing. Do not use leftover antibiotics, and do not share prescribed medicine. If treatment is started, follow the schedule carefully and tell the clinician if vomiting prevents you from keeping doses down. Avoid preparing food for other people until a clinician advises that it is safe.

Seek urgent care for confusion, fainting, severe abdominal pain or swelling, repeated vomiting, inability to drink, breathing difficulty, blood in stool or rapidly worsening weakness. A persistent fever with dehydration also needs prompt review. Serious complications can develop, so improvement should be confirmed rather than assumed from a temporary change in symptoms.

Ask which tests are needed, when results may change the antibiotic choice, how to manage fluids and fever, and how to reduce spread at home. Confirm the full course, what to do after a missed dose and which side effects require immediate contact.