Typhoid and diarrhoea

Two infections of the gut, both spread through contaminated food and water.

Typhoid

Typhoid is caused by a bacterium that enters through food and drink — drinking or bathing in dirty water, food contaminated by flies from unclean places, or food handled by a patient. Its signs are headache, cold and a fever that rises steadily, sometimes constipation at first, then abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Ulcers in the small intestine can bleed, and blood comes out with the faeces. It is confirmed by a blood or stool test, and prevented by the typhoid vaccine.

Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea is an infection of the gut by a virus, bacterium or parasite, spread mainly through an infected person's faeces and by contaminated food or water. The faeces are watery because the large intestine fails to absorb their water. Heavy diarrhoea can cause dehydration, which can be fatal — so give plenty of fluids and get medical treatment.