Typhoid is a gastrointestinal illness caused by Salmonella typhi. Yellow fever is an infection caused by a flavivirus that is carried by mosquitoes.

What is Typhoid?

Definition:

Typhoid is sometimes called typhoid fever and it is due to an infection by specific bacteria known as S. typhi.

Causative pathogen and transmission method:

S. typhi, a type of bacterial organism is responsible for typhoid fever. The bacteria can be ingested by eating contaminated food or from flies carrying the bacteria and landing on food.

Diagnosis:

Diagnostic methods for typhoid include blood tests and urine and stool samples. The bacteria can be cultured from stool and urine samples, and for the blood, the Widal test is done. The Widal test looks for antibodies to the pathogen. The body forms antibodies in response to infection with the bacteria.

Symptoms: 

Signs of typhoid fever include digestive problems like diarrhea, constipation, and a belly ache. A high fever is common and remains high for 7 days. In some cases, a skin rash of red spots develops.

Complications:

The dangerous complications of typhoid are ulceration leading to bleeding or perforation of the gut. These conditions can lead to death if not treated rapidly. Perforation of the intestine will result in infection (sepsis). Bleeding can be severe enough to cause low blood pressure and, subsequently, organ problems. There is about a 1.8% mortality rate for typhoid.

Treatment and prevention:

The antibiotic therapy for typhoid includes using the medications of ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin. Typhoid can be prevented by an oral vaccine. Vaccination is important if you travel to countries in Asia, Africa, and parts of the Middle East where typhoid occurs. 

What is Yellow Fever?

Definition:

Yellow fever is an infection caused by a flavivirus that is transmitted by mosquitoes.

Causative pathogen and transmission method:

Yellow fever is caused by the yellow fever virus, which is a type of flavivirus. Mosquito species that transmit the yellow fever virus include Haemagogus, Sabethes, and Aedes aegypti.

Diagnosis:

Diagnosis can be made by doing blood tests, liver tests, and molecular tests using RT-PCR where the viral genome is searched for. Liver function is assessed by blood tests rather than biopsy since biopsy can cause bleeding.

Symptoms:

Signs of yellow fever include fever, slowed heart rate, headache, bleeding, and jaundice.

Complications:

Complications of yellow fever include severe bleeding, worsening jaundice, seizures, coma, failure of multiple organs, and death. Yellow fever is a dangerous illness that causes a mortality rate of between 3% and 7.5%. 

Treatment and prevention:

Yellow fever treatment is mainly supportive while the body recovers. Vitamin K can be given to help stop bleeding. Sucralfate and proton pump inhibitor medication can help with the gastrointestinal problems, including bleeding. It is better to prevent yellow fever by making sure you are vaccinated. This is important for travelers who are visiting places where yellow fever is endemic.

Difference between Typhoid and Yellow fever? 

Definition

Typhoid is a digestive system disorder caused by Salmonella bacteria. Yellow fever is an illness that is caused by a type of arbovirus known as a flavivirus.

Causative organism 

The causative organism of typhoid is a bacterium. Yellow fever is caused by a flavivirus.

Incubation period

The incubation period for typhoid fever varies from 1 week to 30 days. The incubation period for yellow fever is 3 days to a week.

Mode of transmission

People catch typhoid bacteria when they consume contaminated food. People catch yellow fever when bitten by an infected mosquito.

Symptoms

Symptoms of typhoid fever include high fever that lasts 7 days, a sore stomach, and digestive upset. Symptoms of yellow fever include a fever, slow heart rate, headache, jaundice, and bleeding.

Type of fever

Typhoid fever patients have a temperature that ranges from about 102^oFto 104^oF. Patients with yellow fever have a temperature that ranges from 100.4^oF to 104°F. 

Complications

Complications of typhoid fever include bleeding of typhoid ulcers and perforation of the gut leading to sepsis. Yellow fever complications include worsening jaundice, bleeding, coma, seizures, and multiple organ failure.

Mortality rate

About 1.8% of people who have typhoid die. Between 3% and 7.5% of people with yellow fever die.

Table comparing Typhoid and Yellow Fever

Summary of Typhoid Vs. Yellow Fever

FAQ

Is yellow fever also typhoid?

No, yellow fever is a different illness to typhoid and is caused by a different pathogen.

Can yellow fever and typhoid vaccines be given together?

The oral Ty21a vaccine for typhoid can be given either at the same time as the yellow fever vaccine or before or after.

What is the difference between typhoid fever and fever?

Typhoid fever is a specific illness caused by S. typhi that causes a high fever. Fever is a general term used to describe an elevated body temperature.

Is there a vaccine for typhoid and yellow fever?

There is a vaccine for both yellow fever and typhoid.

What is typhoid called now?

Typhoid is now called typhoid or typhoid fever.

What is the common name for yellow fever?

Yellow fever is usually called yellow fever but sometimes it is also called yellow plague or yellow jack.

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