Whilst there are several vaccinations that are provided to young children, teenagers and older adults, there are other immunisations that you may need when travelling on your holidays accessible through a local travel clinic.
These are typically required if you are travelling to a country or region where a disease that is not commonly found in the UK is endemic and serves two major purposes that may not only protect your health but the health of other people in Britain when you return.
The first is that it protects you from infection, which could be more serious if you lack any level of immunisation, whilst at the same time stopping a disease from spreading through an unvaccinated part of the population.
One example of this is the disease cholera, which has been wiped out in Britain and many other countries, but in certain countries, particularly those affected by war or natural disasters, outbreaks can occur, and it has been found in certain rural regions.
This is also the case with typhoid fever, for which a vaccine is not only available but highly recommended when visiting certain countries or with particular itineraries deemed high-risk.
What is typhoid fever, and when might additional vaccine protection be necessary?
What Is Typhoid Fever?
Similar to cholera, typhoid fever is a bacteriological infection that can spread easily in areas with limited access to clean water, and much like cholera can be life-threatening if not treated quickly.
Caused by the Salmonella typhi bacteria related to the same germs which cause food poisoning, typhoid fever in most cases has symptoms that continue to get worse without treatment.
The most common of these is a fever-like temperature which increases gradually each day, as well as fatigue, headache, muscle pains, constipation and a bad cough.
The symptoms can progress to painful stomach aches and diarrhoea if the infection progresses, and in some cases, people develop a rash.
If people are not treated quickly, there is a 10 per cent chance that they can develop several serious complications affecting the digestive system, which can include internal bleeding or perforation which can lead to sepsis and multiple organ failure.
How Is Typhoid Fever Treated?
If diagnosed in its early stages, typhoid fever is typically treated with a course of antibiotic tablets, which will be taken for up to 14 days in order to help completely kill the Salmonella typhi bacteria.
The antibiotics are targeted towards the particular strain you have been infected with and must be taken in their entirety. Many people will feel better within three days of taking antibiotics but the rest of the tablets must be taken to stop the fever from returning.
If someone is admitted to the hospital, then they will be treated with antibiotic infections, an intravenous drip and are treated for any serious complications.
Typhoid fever can sometimes relapse, although the symptoms are both milder and linger for a far shorter time. Regardless, you should see your GP as soon as possible if your symptoms return so they can be treated with antibiotics.
How Does Vaccination Help?
There are two main vaccination options for typhoid fever, both of which should be taken at least a month before you travel.
The Vi vaccine is a single injection sometimes given as a combined vaccine with hepatitis A immunisation. It protects against typhoid for three years.
The alternative is the Ty21a vaccine, which is taken as three capsules, but is considered to be a
live vaccination as it contains a sample of the Salmonella typhi bacteria, which means that people who have a weakened immune system should seek advice from their doctor before taking it.
Vaccination does provide significant protection, but unlike other immunisations, it is not complete and comprehensive. This means that a traveller should avoid ice, ice cream, uncooked fruits and vegetables, seafood, salads and water that has not been boiled or was in a sealed bottle.
When Might You Require A Vaccination?
Typhoid is found in many parts of the world although it is most commonly found in South America, South East Asia, Africa and the Indian subcontinent, and many countries in these regions are considered to be high-risk areas.
Most people from the UK who contract typhoid fever do so whilst visiting parts of India, Pakistan or Bangladesh, making it essential to be vaccinated if you are visiting any of these three countries.
As well as this, if you are staying for a long period of time in an area where food hygiene and sanitation are at a poor enough standard that typhoid could spread through water and food supplies, the vaccine is highly recommended alongside additional protective measures.
Alongside this, vaccination is recommended if your itinerary means that you are likely to be staying, working with or treating local people, with the latter in particular being a risk factor.