Typhoid is a serious but treatable bacterial disease. Typhoid fever can last for several weeks or months and cause complications. Without treatment, 30% of the infected persons die. Typhoid Vaccine can significantly prevent Typhoid fever.
Typhoid is prevalent in many parts of the world – these include Africa, Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and South Africa. The incidence of this disease is high in areas where hygiene, drinking water supply and sanitation are poor. While traveling to these areas, you are advised to drink only bottled water and consume food which is cooked or prepared in hygienic conditions. Avoid taking ice, ice cream, salads or sea food.
Isolate infected persons and avoid physical contact with them. Typhoid fever occurs after the bacteria in the body of infected person enter the blood stream. The infection carrier is capable of spreading the infection to others even before getting a fever.
Typhoid infection has many symptoms – these include persistent high fever, stomach pain, diarrheas’ or constipation, cough, headache, loss of appetite and weakness.
Typhoid is treatable with medication. Unfortunately, due to new evolving drug-resistant bacteria, the options of antibiotic treatments are reducing. After necessary tests, it is usually possible to prescribe the antibiotic that will work in each case.
Typhoid Vaccines are of two types. Your doctor will decide which is best for you.
- Vi Vaccine – it is administered as a single injection and it could be administered to children 2 years and older
- Ty21a Vaccine – it is administered orally in the form of capsules; this vaccine has a live sample of Salmonella typhi bacteria and it is not recommended for those with a weakened immune system – like it happens following HIV or cancer treatment of chemotherapy.
Typhoid Vaccine can be given to 6 years and older children or adults. In case of Ty21a, three Capsules are to be taken orally every alternate day. Take the last capsule at least one week before the travel date. Take booster doses every three to five years depending upon your occupational risk profile.
Typhoid Vaccine can be taken along with other vaccines. Alert your doctor if any of the following conditions apply to you:
- Suffering from any allergies
- Suffered an allergic reaction to an earlier dose of Typhoid Vaccine
- Suffering from weakened or compromised immune system
- Pregnant or breastfeeding or suspect pregnancy
- Under some other treatment
- Recently taken antibiotics or anti-malarial drugs.
Postpone taking the Typhoid Vaccine if you are moderately or severely ill.
Sometimes adverse reactions do occur – this is true of all vaccines. Check with your doctor who to report to (emergency contact number) in case of an adverse reaction. Reported adverse reactions, include –diarrheas’, nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain. People prone to fainting after medical procedures may experience dizziness or accelerated heartbeat, swelling of the face or throat, breathlessness, altered vision or ringing in the ears. More severe reactions are not known to have occurred after taking the Typhoid Vaccine and there is a long enough experience of its worldwide usage.
Most people don’t know what actually happens when a Typhoid and what precautions we should take, for Burnham Health Pharmacy has expert advice and health consultant to better your health.
Also, You may contact us directly at 01628 603170 or at info@kkpower.in
