Typhoid
Typhoid fever is a severe infection which is spread mainly from eating food or drinking water that has been contaminated with the poo or pee from someone infected with the typhoid germ.
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Recommendations For Travellers
The best way to reduce your risk of becoming infected with typhoid during travel is by following:
Some people may be recommended to have a vaccine against typhoid fever, particularly when travelling to a country where the infection is common, or if they aren’t able to ensure that they can take sufficient care with hygiene, food or drinking water.
Vaccination
The following vaccines are currently available in the UK. They can provide some protection against typhoid fever.
Overview of the Disease
Typhoid fever is an infection of the gut and bloodstream caused by specific bacteria. It is spread from person to person, usually from eating food or drinking water that has been contaminated with the bacteria from an infected person, which is passed out of their body in their poo or (less commonly) their pee.
Typhoid can be found throughout the world, but it is more common in countries that have limited access to clean water or toilets. Countries at the highest risk include India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, but you may also be at increased risk if you visit countries in others parts of Asia, as well as Africa, the Pacific and South and Central America.
The Illness
It can take 1 to 3 weeks after becoming infected for you to feel ill, so symptoms can start after you have returned home.
The main symptoms of typhoid are similar to a general upset tummy and may include:
As the infection progresses, you may begin to feel sick (nausea), lose your appetite, older children or adults may feel constipated, young children may experience diarrhoea, and some people may develop a rash.
If typhoid fever isn’t treated, symptoms can progressively get worse and serious, life threatening complications may develop.
Treatment
Typhoid can be treated with antibiotics. If the infection is diagnosed early, you can usually be treated at home with tablets. People who develop complications need to be admitted to hospital for treatment
You should seek medical attention if you develop a high temperature (fever) and any of the above symptoms, and you are travelling (or have recently travelled) abroad. You should mention to the doctor or nurses where you have been travelling.