Why are Frankie and patricia in the hospital in typhoid fever?

In "Typhoid Fever" by Frank O'Connor, Frankie and Patricia are in the hospital due to their battle with typhoid fever, a serious illness that affects the gastrointestinal system. Their time in the hospital highlights the challenges of illness and isolation, while also serving as a backdrop for the development of their relationship. The shared experience of being in the hospital brings them closer together, allowing for moments of connection amid their suffering.