Typhoid fever is primarily found in impoverished countries with inadequate sanitation on a global scale. In the United States, the incidence of typhoid fever has been steadily decreasing since 1900 due to improvements in sanitation and effective antibiotic treatments. While typhoid fever is widespread, 80% of cases occur in the Americas, the Caribbean, Oceania, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, and Nepal. Each year, approximately 200,000 individuals succumb to typhoid fever, and 21.6 million people are infected with the disease. When treated, the chance of death is 0.2% and there are rarely long-term symptoms. Untreated typhoid fever can lead to fatality and persist for multiple weeks. Lasting complications may involve central nervous system damage. 54 percent of reported typhoid fever cases in the United States between 1999 and 2006 included. One can receive fluids and electrolytes via a vein. For the treatment of typhoid fever, the patient can receive an antibiotic and, in rare circumstances, steroid medications. When prescribed antibiotics, most patients start feeling better after two days, and fatalities are rare. Typhoid cases are generally treated with specific antibiotics such ciprofloxacin, ampicillin, or chloramphenicol. Important public health measures include proper water purification, proper waste disposal, and safeguarding the food supply from contamination. Typhoid carriers should not be permitted to handle food in any capacity. If treatment is not received, patients may have a fever for weeks or months, and up to 20% of them may pass away from infection-related problems. The hospital setting is where those with infections are treated.
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