{"id":246129,"date":"2025-07-23T13:15:57","date_gmt":"2025-07-23T13:15:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/?p=246129"},"modified":"2026-03-27T13:02:16","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T13:02:16","slug":"vaccine-typhoid-test-what-is-it-when-to-be-taken-side-effects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/vaccine-typhoid-test-what-is-it-when-to-be-taken-side-effects\/","title":{"rendered":"Typhoid Test: What is It, When To Be Taken & Side Effects"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n<\/head>

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Table of Contents<\/p>\nToggle<\/span>

Introduction<\/a><\/li>
What is Typhoid Fever?<\/a><\/li>
Why Typhoid Testing is Important?<\/a><\/li>
When Should You Get Tested for Typhoid?<\/a><\/li>
Who is at Higher Risk?<\/a><\/li>
Types of Typhoid Tests<\/a><\/li>
Treatment and Management<\/a><\/li>
Complications<\/a><\/li>
How to Prevent Typhoid?<\/a><\/li>
Typhoid Vaccination<\/a><\/li>
What to Do While You\u2019re Recovering from Typhoid<\/a><\/li>
When to See a Doctor<\/a><\/li>
Conclusion<\/a><\/li>
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/a><\/li>
References<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n \n <\/span>\n $\"Join$ \n <\/a>\n
<\/span>Introduction<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe typhoid infection has been increasing in India over the past few years, affecting around 10 million people in 2021 1<\/a><\/sup>. The infection is caused by the Salmonella typhi bacteria that enters and spreads throughout your body when you consume contaminated food or water 1<\/a>,2<\/a><\/sup>. Some symptoms of typhoid, like fever, tiredness, and stomach pain, can resemble other diseases like malaria. Therefore, doing a typhoid test may help confirm the infection 3<\/a>,4<\/a><\/sup>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this blog, we will explain what typhoid is, which test is done for typhoid, and when to take it.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>What is Typhoid Fever?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nTyphoid fever is a serious infection that spreads throughout the body after the bacteria enter the body through contaminated food or water. After the bacteria pass through the intestinal walls, they reach the blood within 24 hours. The infection then spreads to other organs like the liver, spleen, bone marrow, gall bladder, and, sometimes, into the brain. Within 7 to 14 days of exposure, symptoms like high fever, body pain, abdominal pain, and weakness start to show. If not tested and treated early, typhoid can become more severe with complications like bleeding in the stomach, perforation of the intestines, and brain-related issues like delirium, confusion, and memory loss 2<\/a>,5<\/a><\/sup>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Why Typhoid Testing is Important<\/strong>?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe typhoid test is important to confirm that you have a typhoid infection. It helps to differentiate typhoid from other illnesses like dengue and malaria, which may have similar symptoms 6<\/a><\/sup>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Testing in the early stage may help you take the right antibiotic and medicines, so the disease doesn\u2019t become more severe and cause complications 6<\/a>,7<\/a>,8<\/a><\/sup>. It also may help your doctor choose the most effective antibiotic, as some bacteria in India do not respond well to certain antibiotics like fluoroquinolones 2<\/a><\/sup>.^{\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n}
Testing may help find who is having typhoid, and necessary precautions can be taken to not spread it to others. In places where typhoid is prevalent, it may help to find out how many people are affected and whether it is becoming an outbreak, so that action can be taken to prevent its spread 9<\/a><\/sup>. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>When Should You Get Tested for Typhoid?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nYour doctor may advise you to get a typhoid test if you have 2<\/a>,10<\/a><\/sup>:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A high body temperature above 38\u00b0C that rises gradually (step-wise pattern) for three or more days without a clear reason 2<\/a>,10<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Symptoms like headache, body pain, abdominal pain, constipation (seen in the early stage) and sometimes diarrhoea (occurs later). In severe cases, confusion or drowsiness may be seen 2<\/a>,11<\/a>,12<\/a><\/sup>.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Recent travel to typhoid-affected area or close contact with a typhoid-affected individual in the last 28 days 2<\/a>,10<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
In such cases, a doctor may look into your symptoms, medical history and accordingly recommend an appropriate blood test for typhoid.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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In my experience, I have noticed that unlike other fevers where pulse usually rises by 10 with every 1 degree increase in temperature, in typhoid fever, the heart beat may remain normal or slow down to less than 60 beats per minute. This relative bradycardia is classical sign seen in typhoid.<\/p>\n Dr. Kathak Shah, MBBS, DDV, Fellowship in Lasers & Aesthetics, Fellowship in Dermatosurgery<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Who is at Higher Risk?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe risks of typhoid depend on an individual\u2019s age, environment, and location and is higher in the following individuals 2<\/a>,3<\/a>,13<\/a><\/sup>: \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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People living in areas with unclean water and poor sanitation\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Travellers to places where typhoid is common (areas of Africa, Asia, or Latin America)\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Those with a weak immunity, including those with HIV\/AIDS, cancer, and those taking medicines that lower their immunity (steroids or cancer medicines) 2\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Children under 15 years of age, especially between 5 and 15 years, and those in areas where typhoid is common 2<\/a>,14<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
If these individuals experience symptoms of typhoid fever, it is best to consult a doctor<\/a><\/strong> who may advise a blood test for typhoid.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A with a fever lasting more than two weeks with decrease in white blood cell counts should raise the suspicion of typhoid fever. If you notice any rose coloured spots present over your chest and abdomen resembling mosquitoes\/insects bites along with persistent fever, these could be signs of typhoid.<\/p>\n Dr. Kathak Shah, MBBS, DDV, Fellowship in Lasers & Aesthetics, Fellowship in Dermatosurgery<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>
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