American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

What clinical symptoms are characteristic of typhoid fever?

1. A progressively rising fever with abdominal pain

2. Cough and sore throat

3. Sweating and chills

4. Joint pain and rash

The correct answer is: A progressively rising fever with abdominal pain

The clinical symptoms characteristic of typhoid fever predominantly include a progressively rising fever accompanied by abdominal pain. This fever typically develops gradually over a few days and can reach high temperatures, often with a sustained pattern. The abdominal pain associated with typhoid fever is usually a result of intestinal inflammation and possible involvement of the gastrointestinal lining, which can lead to additional complications. Other manifestations of typhoid fever can include headache, fatigue, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea or constipation, but the hallmark of the illness is indeed the combination of fever and abdominal discomfort. In contrast, symptoms like cough and sore throat, sweating and chills, or joint pain and rash are not typical of typhoid fever, indicating that the correct choice accurately reflects the primary clinical presentation seen in affected patients.