typhoid fever [Gk, typhos, fever, eidos, form; L, febris, fever] , a bacterial infection usually caused by Salmonella typhi, transmitted by contaminated milk, water, or food. It is characterized by headache, delirium, cough, watery diarrhea, rash, and a high fever. The incubation period may be as long as 60 days. Characteristic maculopapular rosy spots are scattered over the skin of the abdomen and chest. Splenomegaly and leukopenia develop first. Complications include intestinal hemorrhage or perforation and thrombophlebitis. The disease is serious and may be fatal. Some people who recover continue to be carriers and excrete the organism, spreading the disease. Also called cesspool fever, enteric fever. Compare cholera, paratyphoid fever, salmonellosis.
