Typhoid fever
Vaccination against typhoid feveris recommended if you're travelling to parts of the world where the condition is common.
Typhoid is found throughout the world, but it's more likely to occur in areas where there's poor sanitation and hygiene.High-risk areas include:
Vaccination is strongly recommended if you're going to be staying or working with local people, or if you're going to be staying for prolonged periods in areaswhere sanitation and food hygiene are likely to be poor.
In the UK, most people who get typhoid fever develop it while visiting India, Pakistan or Bangladesh. It's therefore particularly important that you're vaccinated if you're visiting these countries.
Vaccinationagainst typhoid fever is usually free on the NHS from GP surgeries. Private travel clinics also offer the vaccinefor about 30.
In the UK, the two main vaccines available to preventtyphoid fever are:
Combined typhoid and Hepatitis A injections are also available for people aged 15 or older. Protection against hepatitis A lasts one year and protection against typhoid lasts three years.
The vaccines work by stimulating your body to create antibodies (infection-fighting proteins) that prevent you getting ill if you become infected with the typhoid bacteria.
It's important to remember that none of the typhoid vaccines are 100% effective, and you should always take precautions when eating food and drinking water abroad (see the advice below about this).
The Vi vaccine is generally more effective thanthe Ty21a vaccine, but some people prefer to have the Ty21a vaccine because it doesn't require an injection.
As the Ty21a vaccine contains a live sample of Salmonella typhi bacteria, it isn't suitable for people with a weakened immune system, such as people with HIV or those receiving certaintypes of treatment, such as chemotherapy .It also isn't usually recommended for children under six, whereas children can have the Vi vaccine from two years of age.
The typhoid vaccine should ideally be given at least one month before you travel, although if necessary it can be given closer to your travel date.
Booster vaccinations are recommended every three years if you continue to be at risk of infection with typhoid bacteria.
After having the typhoid fever vaccine, some people have temporary soreness, redness, swelling or hardness at the injection site.
About1 in every 100 people experience a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above. Less common side effects include:
Severe reactions are rare for both typhoid vaccines.
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Find out about typhoid fever, what causes it, how it's treated and what you can do to protect yourself if you're travelling to a high-risk area.
Read about the symptoms of typhoid fever, which usually develop one or two weeks after infection with Salmonella typhi bacteria.
Typhoid fever is caused by a type of bacteria called Salmonella typhi.
See your GP if you think you have typhoid fever, particularly if you've recently returned from travelling abroad.
Typhoid fever can usually be successfully treated with a course of antibiotic medication. Most cases can be treated at home, but hospital admission may be required if the condition is severe.
Complications caused by typhoid fever usually only occur in people who haven't been treated with appropriate antibiotics or who weren't treated straight away.
Read about the two main vaccines against typhoid fever available in the UK - the Vi vaccine which is given as a single injection and the Ty21a vaccine (three capsules).
Dominic Aguiar developed typhoid during a trip to India. He says it was lack of planning that caused the infection.