Typhoid Disease Vaccinations

How is typhoid fever spread?

Salmonella Typhi lives only in humans. Persons with typhoid fever carry the bacteria in their bloodstream and intestinal tract. In addition, a small number of persons, called carriers, recover from typhoid fever but continue to carry the bacteria. Both ill persons and carriers shed Salmonella Typhi in their feces (stool).

You can get typhoid fever if you eat food or drink beverages that have been handled by a person who is shedding Salmonella Typhi or if sewage contaminated with Salmonella Typhi bacteria gets into the water you use for drinking or washing food. Therefore, typhoid fever is more common in areas of the world where hand washing is less frequent and water is likely to be contaminated with sewage.

Once Salmonella Typhi bacteria are eaten or drunk, they multiply and spread into the bloodstream. The body reacts with fever and other signs and symptoms.

Where in the world do you get typhoid fever?

Typhoid fever is common in most parts of the world except in industrialized regions such as the United States, Canada, western Europe, Australia, and Japan. Therefore, if you are travelling to the developing world, you should consider taking precautions.

How can you avoid typhoid fever?

Avoid risky foods and drinks. Especially cold meat, uncooked food, salads and contaminated water Get vaccinated against typhoid fever.

It may surprise you, but watching what you eat and drink when you travel is still important even though you being vaccinated. This is because the vaccines are not completely effective.

Avoiding risky foods will also help protect you from other illnesses, including Travellers' diarrhoea, cholera, , and hepatitis A.

What can you do to prevent getting Typhoid

"Boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it".

If you drink water, buy it bottled or bring it to a rolling boil for 1 minute before you drink it. Bottled carbonated water is safer than uncarbonated water.

Ask for drinks without ice unless the ice is made from bottled or boiled water.

Avoid popsicles and flavoured ices that may have been made with contaminated water.

Eat foods that have been thoroughly cooked and that are still hot and steaming.

Avoid raw vegetables and fruits that cannot be peeled. Vegetables like lettuce are easily contaminated and are very hard to wash well.

When you eat raw fruit or vegetables that can be peeled, peel them yourself. (Wash your hands with soap first.) Do not eat the peelings.

Avoid foods and beverages from street vendors. It is difficult for food to be kept clean on the street, and many travellers get sick from food bought from street vendors.

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Getting vaccinated against Typhoid Disease

If you are travelling to a country where typhoid is common, you should consider being vaccinated against typhoid. Visit our doctor at International Travel Vaccination Centre to discuss your vaccination options.

Remember that you will need to complete your vaccination at least 1-2 weeks (dependent upon vaccine type) before you travel so that the vaccine has time to take effect. Typhoid vaccines lose effectiveness after several years; if you were vaccinated in the past, check with your doctor to see if it is time for a booster vaccination. Taking antibiotics will not prevent typhoid fever; they only help treat it.