Typhoid fever spreads mainly through the fecal-oral route, not through the air. The infection occurs when a person consumes food or water contaminated with Salmonella typhi bacteria, usually due to poor sanitation or hygiene. Common sources include unclean drinking water, raw fruits and vegetables washed with contaminated water, and food handled by an infected person or carrier. It is not airborne, so it doesn’t spread through coughing or sneezing. To stay safe in high-risk areas, always drink bottled or boiled water, avoid street food, eat freshly cooked meals, and wash hands frequently before eating.