What is it?
Typhoid fever is a bacterial disease (Salmonella typhi or Salmonella paratyphi) that is spread by contaminated food and water. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle or joint pains, constipation or diarrhoea and a rash. If treated, most people will make a full recovery however untreated it can be fatal.
Risk areas
Typhoid is found globally but mainly affects low income areas where sanitation is poor and clean drinking water is not widely available. The majority of cases occur in Asia (especially in travellers visiting friends and relatives in the Indian subcontinent) but is also a concern in parts of Africa, Central and South America.
Prevention
The risk can be reduced by ensuring good personal hygiene and practicing safe food and water advice.
Vaccine schedule
Vaccination is recommended for travellers who are at higher risk of infection in areas where sanitation and food hygiene are likely to be poor.
| Vaccine | Schedule | Age range |
|---|---|---|
|
Typhoid (injection) |
Single dose |
Adult and children from 2 years |
|
Typhoid (oral) |
3 capsules; 1st on day 1, 2nd on day 3 and 3rd on day 5 |
Adults and children from 6 years |
|
Hepatitis A & Typhoid |
Single dose of combined vaccine |
From 15 or 16 years depending on brand |
Length of protection
Following a single dose of injection or completed course of oral vaccine, a booster should be offered at 3 year intervals depending on risk.