How Soon Should You Get Typhoid Vaccine Before Travel?
Typhoid fever is caused by bacteria that can be spread through the body and can affect many organs. The bacteria that infect the body is called salmonella typhi, which is related to the bacteria that cases salmonella food poisoning. Without immediate treatment it can cause serious medical complications and can be fatal. Typhoid fever is highly contagious, if an infected person uses the bathroom and does not wash their hands. The bacteria can stay on their hands and contaminate everything that the person touches, including food and drinks. Children are thought to be most at risk due to their immune system still developing. However, children who contract the fever tend to have milder symptoms than adults.
Symptoms of typhoid fever include:
- A high temperature that can reach 39 to 40c
- Headaches
- Body aches and pains
- Coughing
- Constipation
Symptoms will continue to get worse over time if they are not treated which can potentially be fatal.
Typhoid Vaccine and travel
It is recommended that you get vaccinated if you plan on traveling to parts of the world where the condition is common or if you are staying for prolonged periods in areas where sanitation and food hygiene are likely to be poor. There are two main vaccines in the UK:
- VI Vaccine: Is given as a single dose by injection to anyone 2 years or older. One does is recommended two weeks before travelling and repeated doses are recommended every 2 years for people who remain at risk.
- Ty21a vaccine: Is given as 4 oral capsules for anyone who is 6 years or older. Each capsule is taken every other day. A booster vaccine is recommended every 5 years for people who are still at risk.
Being prepared before you travel is essential to keeping yourself and others safe. At our travel clinic in Bromley, we offer the vaccination to help you reduce your risk of falling ill while you are travelling. Our qualified staff will give you the best cause of action based on your assessment. You can protect yourself with the Typhoid vaccine for as little as £30per dose.
