“Rose spots” rash

Typhoid is a food and waterborne disease endemic to many countries. In order to avoid catching typhoid, practice food and water safety and get vaccinated before entering a risk area. Although the disease can be effectively prevented by the vaccine, there is still a slight chance of infection, therefore you should be able to recognize the signs.

A rash of flat, rose-colored patches might appear on certain patients who have typhoid fever or paratyphoid fever. Rose-colored patches (arrows) develop on the chest and abdomen in around 10 to 20% of typhoid fever patients, typically during the second week of infection. According to some studies, rose spots are clumps of bacteria that travel via the bloodstream as bacterial emboli to the skin.

The majority of Americans with typhoid or paratyphoid fever develop the illness when traveling overseas, most frequently to nations where these illnesses are prevalent, where the water and food may be contaminated, and where sanitation is subpar. Travelers should take steps to avoid infection when visiting South Asia, particularly Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. In East Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Central, and South America, typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever are somewhat less prevalent. In the United States, Canada, Western Europe, Australia, and Japan, both diseases are quite uncommon. Get vaccinated against typhoid fever if you intend to travel outside of the United States.