What is the Difference Between Enteric Fever and Typhoid Fever?

Enteric fever and typhoid fever are often used interchangeably, but there is a slight difference between the two terms. Enteric fever is a collective term that refers to both typhoid and paratyphoid fever, while typhoid fever is specifically caused by the bacteria Salmonella Typhi. Both fevers are acute, life-threatening, febrile infections caused by Salmonella enterica serotypes, with typhoid fever caused by S. Typhi and paratyphoid fever caused by S. Paratyphi A and S. Paratyphi B.

Key differences between enteric fever and typhoid fever include:

• Causative agents: Typhoid fever is caused by Salmonella Typhi, while paratyphoid fever is caused by Salmonella Paratyphi.
• Clinical presentation: Although typhoid and paratyphoid fever share similar symptoms, they cannot be distinguished on the basis of clinical presentation alone.
• Diagnosis: The best way to diagnose enteric fever is by collecting several blood cultures early in the disease, with at least one stool sample sent for bacterial culture and sensitivity.
• Treatment: Specific antibiotic therapy is required to treat enteric fever, and the choice of antibiotic depends on the susceptibility of the bacteria.

In summary, enteric fever is an umbrella term that encompasses both typhoid and paratyphoid fever, while typhoid fever is a specific type of enteric fever caused by Salmonella Typhi. Both diseases share similar symptoms and are diagnosed and treated similarly.

Comparative Table: Enteric Fever vs Typhoid Fever

Enteric fever is a term used to describe both typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever. Typhoid fever is an infection with Salmonella typhi, while paratyphoid fever is caused by Salmonella paratyphi types A, B, or C. Here is a table comparing the differences between enteric fever and typhoid fever:

Typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever are clinically indistinguishable, with subtle differences in signs, symptoms, and outcomes. Both diseases are characterized by fever, abdominal pain, and non-specific symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headache, and anorexia. Suspect enteric fever in a person with a history of travel to an endemic area who is not responding to antimalarial medication. Diagnosis of enteric fever typically involves blood culture and other laboratory tests. Treatment for both enteric fever and typhoid fever involves antibiotic therapy, with treatment decisions guided by susceptibility testing due to the high rates of resistance to many antimicrobial agents.