Overview
Paratyphoid fever is a serious bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Salmonella enterica, specifically the subtypes called Paratyphi A, B, or C. It is closely related to typhoid fever and is sometimes called enteric fever when grouped together with typhoid. The bacteria spread through contaminated food or water, especially in areas where sanitation is poor. Once swallowed, the bacteria travel through the gut and into the bloodstream, causing a whole-body infection. The illness usually starts with a gradually rising fever, headache, and a general feeling of being unwell. Over days, symptoms can include stomach pain, a skin rash of flat pink spots, and changes in bowel habits such as diarrhea or constipation. Without treatment, the infection can become severe and lead to dangerous complications like intestinal bleeding or perforation. The good news is that paratyphoid fever responds well to antibiotic treatment when caught early. Most people recover fully with the right care. Prevention through safe food and water practices and vaccination (where available) is also very effective. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are the most important factors in a good outcome.
Key symptoms:
Gradually rising fever that can reach 39–40°C (102–104°F)Persistent headacheFeeling very tired and weakStomach pain or discomfortLoss of appetiteNausea or vomitingDiarrhea or constipationFlat, rose-colored spots on the chest or abdomen (rose spots rash)Enlarged spleen or liverDry cough in early illnessConfusion or feeling mentally foggy in severe casesChills and sweating
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
FDA & Trial Timeline
2 eventsIndus Hospital and Health Network — PHASE4
University of Sheffield
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Paratyphoid fever.
2 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Paratyphoid fever.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Paratyphoid fever.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Paratyphoid fever
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Transcriptomic Responses for the Identification of Pathogens
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Paratyphoid fever
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Which type of Salmonella Paratyphi caused my infection, and does that affect my treatment?,How do I know if the antibiotic you are prescribing will work against my specific strain?,How long will I need to take antibiotics, and what happens if I miss a dose?,When is it safe for me to return to work or school, especially if I work with food or in healthcare?,Do I need any follow-up tests to make sure the infection is completely gone?,Is there a risk I could become a long-term carrier, and how would we check for that?,What symptoms should prompt me to go to the emergency room right away?
Common questions about Paratyphoid fever
What is Paratyphoid fever?
Paratyphoid fever is a serious bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Salmonella enterica, specifically the subtypes called Paratyphi A, B, or C. It is closely related to typhoid fever and is sometimes called enteric fever when grouped together with typhoid. The bacteria spread through contaminated food or water, especially in areas where sanitation is poor. Once swallowed, the bacteria travel through the gut and into the bloodstream, causing a whole-body infection. The illness usually starts with a gradually rising fever, headache, and a general feeling of being unwell. Over days, sympt
How is Paratyphoid fever inherited?
Paratyphoid fever follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
Are there clinical trials for Paratyphoid fever?
Yes — 2 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Paratyphoid fever on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Paratyphoid fever?
7 specialists and care centers treating Paratyphoid fever are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.