Typhoid

What is typhoid fever?

Typhoid fever is a highly contagious bacterial infection that can affect the whole body. It can be potentially fatal. Typhoid fever is most common in parts of the world with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water.

Salmonella typhi, the bacterium that causes typhoid fever, is related to the bacteria that causes salmonella food poisoning. It can be caught through eating or drinking contaminated food and drink. Without quick treatment, typhoid fever can have serious complications that can be fatal, so it’s important to help protect yourself.

Typhoid isn’t common in the UK. Most cases are from infections that were picked up whilst visiting countries such as:
• Bangladesh

• India

• Pakistan

• Asia

• Africa

• South America

Worldwide, children are at the most risk of typhoid fever as their immune system is still developing.

Signs & symptoms of typhoid fever
The main symptoms of typhoid fever include:
• Having a persistent high temperature that increases daily

• Having a headache

• Body aches and pains

• Extreme tiredness

• Having a cough

• Constipation

As the infection advances, you might get other symptoms like:
• A tummy ache

• Diarrhoea

• Loss of appetite

• Nausea

• A rash (in some cases)
It’s important to get typhoid fever treated quickly. If the infection goes untreated, it could cause complications and increase the risk of developing potentially fatal consequences.
If you think you have some or all of these symptoms during travel or on return to the UK, you should seek urgent medical attention. You should explain to the doctor treating you that you have travelled abroad.

Treating typhoid fever
If typhoid is diagnosed in the early stages, you’re likely to be able to treat it with prescribed antibiotic tablets at home. If typhoid fever is more severe, it may require antibiotic injections in hospital. An estimated one in five people will die from typhoid fever and those who survive may have complications caused by the infection.

Preventing typhoid fever
In the UK, there are two vaccinations that can help provide protection against typhoid fever. They don’t give 100 percent protection, so it’s important to practise safe food and water hygiene and to also follow hand hygiene measures. For example:
• Only drink sealed bottled water or freshly boiled water

• Where possible, avoid any food that could be contaminated

The vaccinations involve either one single injection or taking three capsules on alternate days. It’s recommended that you get the vaccination if you’re travelling to somewhere that typhoid fever is common like:
• Africa

• South and Southeast Asia

• South America

• The Indian subcontinent

How long does the typhoid vaccination last?
The vaccination protects against typhoid for three years, however it’s important to understand the vaccine isn’t 100 percent effective. You should practise other good food and water hygiene measures to reduce your risk.