Risk factors

Typhoid fever is a serious worldwide threat and affects about 27 million or more people each year. The disease is established in India, Southeast Asia, Africa, South America and many other areas.

Worldwide, children are at greatest risk of getting the disease, although they generally have milder symptoms than adults do.

If you live in a country where typhoid fever is rare, you're at increased risk if you:

• Work in or travel to areas where typhoid fever is established
• Work as a clinical microbiologist handling Salmonella typhi bacteria
• Have close contact with someone who is infected or has recently been infected with typhoid fever
• Drink water polluted by sewage that contains Salmonella typhi