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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can Typhoid Infection Cause Brain Damage?

Hi Doctors, I have a friend in Indonesia, she was diagnosed with typhoid but eventually the doctor said that the virus spread to the brain and she was unconscious until the day God took her away. I m not sure about the reason because as far as I know typhoid is caused by bacteria, not virus, and can it really damage the brain? What part of the brain is damaged and how can it be so dangerous? In Indonesia, commonly people got cured from typhoid and that was my first time I heard typhoid can cause brain damage. Thanks for your information.
posted on Thu, 7 May 2015
Twitter Mon, 20 Feb 2023 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 24 Feb 2023 Last reviewed on
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,

Typhoid is by far a treatable disease. Though typhoid fever can cause long lasting complications, but these are very rare. Neuro-psychiatric issues like delirium or behavior changes may be seen in typhoid fever, particularly with high fever. But these are usually treatable when found.

However, brain damage with fatal consequences are very very rare and usually seen in a long standing case of typhoid fever, usually in 2nd or 3rd week of fever. Therefore, it is very important to diagnose the case of typhoid at the earliest, to avoid the complications. You are very right that typhoid is caused by a bacteria of salmonella genus and not by virus.

Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Satnarain Bansal, General & Family Physician
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Can Typhoid Infection Cause Brain Damage?

Hi, Typhoid is by far a treatable disease. Though typhoid fever can cause long lasting complications, but these are very rare. Neuro-psychiatric issues like delirium or behavior changes may be seen in typhoid fever, particularly with high fever. But these are usually treatable when found. However, brain damage with fatal consequences are very very rare and usually seen in a long standing case of typhoid fever, usually in 2nd or 3rd week of fever. Therefore, it is very important to diagnose the case of typhoid at the earliest, to avoid the complications. You are very right that typhoid is caused by a bacteria of salmonella genus and not by virus. Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Satnarain Bansal, General & Family Physician