Ashley KaiKeeping yourself updated with all your vaccinations before you travel is a must for any traveller. This is especially true when it comes to keeping projected against unavoidable typhoid in some countries. However, avoiding coming down with typhoid is much more straightforward than you might think. All it takes is a trip to your travel doctor and getting the latest typhoid vaccine which is guaranteed to ensure a case of typhoid doesn’t ruin your holiday.
What is Typhoid?
Typhoid Fever is a bacterial inflexion caused by Salmonella typhi that spreads through the body, causing all havoc of nasty symptoms to an infected person. An inflected individual can pass it out of their body through infected poo, wee and spit, which can quickly be passed on to another person if it contaminates the food or water supply.
What Are The Symptoms of Typhoid?
It takes up to two weeks for the symptoms of Typhoid to show after an infection. Those that come down with typhoid often experience, but are not limited to, the following symptoms that range in severity:
- A high temperature
- Fever
- Headache
- Painful muscles
- Sore abdomen
- Bloating
- Conesepation
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Chills
- Loss of appetite
- Malaise
- Weak muscles
- Rose spots
- Skin rash
- Weight loss
The only way to know if you have Typhod is to get a stool sample test from a doctor.
How Long Does Typhoid Last?
Depending on the severity of the case, you can expect a Typohid inflection to last three to four weeks if left untreated. However, if you ignore it, the case could worsen, escalating as one in five cases of typhoid has been shown to lead to death. It is important to note that even when symptoms appear to go away, you could still carry the inflection-bearing bacteria.
What Destinations Are More Likely to Have Typhoid?
Typhoid can be encountered anywhere worldwide, but due to the robust vaccination programs in some countries, these numbers are so small they don’t even appear on any graph. However, if you travel to top tourist destinations where water and food sanitation is poor, you could expect to come down with typhoid due to these terrible conditions. These destinations include:
- Eastern and Southern Asia (Pakistan, India, Bangladesh)
- Africa
- The Caribbean
- Central and South America
- The Middle East
- The South Pacific (Papua New Guinea)
How to Be Best Prepared to Combat Typhoid?
- Get a Typhoid Vaccine Before You Travel!
The best and proven way to avoid being caught off guard by a sudden inflexion of typhoid, even if you are being extra vigilant to prevent it, is with a vaccine before travel. This is particularly true if you visit any listed regions in this guide.
You can decide what kind of shot you need from your doctor, who will be able to lay out the medical procedures for this vaccine in your country. However, remember that vaccines are not entirely foolproof, and you should be wary of the food and water situation and regularly clean your hands!
- Make Sure Your Hands Are Clean
Typhoid is spread through contaminated food and water, so practicing good hygiene is essential when traveling to areas where the disease is prevalent. This includes washing your hands regularly with soap and water, especially before eating or preparing food.
- Choose Food and Drink Carefully
When traveling to areas where typhoid is common, it’s important to be mindful of what you eat and drink. Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat, seafood, and eggs, as well as fruits and vegetables that may have been washed with contaminated water. Stick to foods that are cooked thoroughly and served hot, and only drink bottled water or water that has been boiled and filtered. Be wary of ice, which may have been made with contaminated water, and avoid drinking tap water or using it to brush your teeth.
Ashley Kai
