health

Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection that is common in many parts of the
world. It is spread by contaminated water and food and primarily affects
the digestive system.
In many developing countries, typhoid fever is a major problem. An
estimated 16 million are infected and more than 500,000 die each year
worldwide. The disease is especially common in parts of Asia, Africa, and
South America where pure water is not readily available and sewage treatment
is inadequate. In many countries, children are the most likely to get
typhoid.
Typhoid used to be a serious problem in the United States as well.
Early in the twentieth century, before clean water supplies and sewage
systems to dispose of human waste were widely available, about 35,000
people contracted typhoid fever each year. Technological advancements
in sewage and water treatment made typhoid fever rare in industrialized
countries. Only about 400 cases are reported each year in the United
States. In most of these cases, the individuals had acquired the disease
while traveling abroad.