The prognosis for typhoid fever with prompt and early treatment is favorable, but it worsens if complications arise. In the majority of patients, symptoms typically improve within 2 to 4 weeks of treatment. However, if the infection is not fully eradicated, symptoms may recur.
Possible Complications of Typhoid Fever
Intestinal hemorrhage (severe gastrointestinal bleeding, intestinal bleeding, or perforation) is a serious complication of typhoid fever, which may occur during the third week of illness. Approximately 5 percent of individuals with typhoid fever may experience intestinal bleeding or perforation.
Other, less frequent complications
Myocarditis (heart muscle inflammation), pneumonia (lung inflammation), pancreatitis (pancreas inflammation), kidney or bladder infections, osteomyelitis (spinal infections), meningitis (brain and spinal cord membrane inflammation), and delirium, hallucinations, and paranoid psychosis are all potential complications of typhoid fever.
Timely and appropriate treatment can effectively cure the infection, and the majority of individuals in industrialized countries recover from typhoid. However, untreated cases can lead to severe complications, risking the patient’s life. Maintaining good general hygiene at home is crucial, as the patient may continue to excrete the bacteria for several weeks.