Dangerous Typhoid Fever Linked To Colorado Restaurant

CBS News is reporting that three cases of typhoid fever have been linked to a Qdoba restaurant in Firestone, Colorado. To be clear, there have been no cases reported in Western Colorado, but the fact that it's in the state is bad enough.

One look at the Wikipedia description of typhoid fever will help you understand why this is very bad.

Typhoid fever, also known simply as typhoid, is a symptomatic bacterial infection due to Salmonella typhi.^[1] Symptoms may vary from mild to severe and usually begin six to thirty days after exposure.^[2][3] Often there is a gradual onset of a high fever over several days.^[2] Weakness, abdominal pain, constipation, and headaches also commonly occur.^[3][4]Diarrhea and vomiting are uncommon.^[4] Some people develop a skin rash with rose colored spots.^[3] In severe cases there may be confusion.^[4] Without treatment symptoms may last weeks or months.^[3] Other people may carry the bacterium without being affected; however, they are still able to spread the disease to others.^[5] Typhoid fever is a type ofenteric fever along with paratyphoid fever.^[1]

Firestone, Colorado is east of Longmont and north of the Denver metro.

Washing hands and general good hygiene will win the day more often than not when it comes to not having to worry about typhoid fever. However, if we learn of reports making their way around the Western Slope, we will obviously let you know.