One can get Typhoid infection by taking contaminated food or water. However, most cases in the UK are found in those visiting friends and families in countries in the Indian subcontinent(Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan).

Typhoid and paratyphoid are caused by the bacteria Salmonella Typhi or Salmonella Paratyphi. They result in similar conditions collectively referred to as enteric fever and mostly affect low-income places of the world. These areas mostly have poor sanitation and a lack of clean drinking water.  Globally, most Typhoid cases occur in Asia, however, the condition continues to be a concern in other places like Africa and parts of Central and South America.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of typhoid and paratyphoid include:

– fever

– headache

– muscle

– joint pains

– constipation

– diarrhoea

– rash

Complications include intestinal bleeding and perforation ( a hole develops in the wall of the bowel). One can recover fully after treatment,  however, if untreated mortality rates can be high.

Prevention

The probability of getting typhoid or paratyphoid can be lowered by observing good personal hygiene and following advice on the prevention of food and water-borne diseases.

Typhoid Vaccination

Travellers are advised to get vaccinated if their planned activities put them at higher risk of typhoid infection in places where there’s poor sanitation and food hygiene. Currently, vaccinations are available but only offer protection against typhoid and not the paratyphoid infection. Both injectable and oral vaccines are available. Other vaccinations might be combined with hepatitis A.

Public Health England’s Immunisation against infectious disease states: children between 12 months and two years old have to be immunised if the risk of typhoid fever is considered high. Immunisation is not recommended for children below one year old. For young children to fully benefit from typhoid vaccination, careful attention to personal, food, and water hygiene measures should be practiced by the caregiver.

Duration Of Protection

A single dose of the injectable or a full course of oral typhoid vaccine, a booster vaccination should be provided at three-year intervals for those vulnerable. The oral typhoid booster immunisation consists of 3 more capsules.