Complications

Intestinal bleeding or holes

Intestinal bleeding or holes in the intestine are the most serious complications of typhoid fever. They usually develop in the third week of illness. In this condition, the small intestine or large bowel develops a hole. Contents from the intestine leak into the stomach and can cause severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and bloodstream infection (sepsis). This life-threatening complication requires immediate medical care.

Other, less common complications

Other possible complications include:

• Inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis)
• Inflammation of the lining of the heart and valves (endocarditis)
• Infection of major blood vessels (mycotic aneurysm)
• Pneumonia
• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
• Kidney or bladder infections
• Infection and inflammation of the membranes and fluid surrounding your brain and spinal cord (meningitis)
• Psychiatric problems, such as delirium, hallucinations and paranoid psychosis

With quick treatment, nearly all people in industrialized nations recover from typhoid fever. Without treatment, some people may not survive complications of the disease.