How to Recognize and Prevent Typhoid Fever

To contact us Click HERE
Typhoid fever is a life-threatening bacterial disease spread from human to human by infected individuals. The disease is spread throughout the world in developing and non-industrialized nations wherever sanitary conditions are less than ideal and clean, treated water is in short supply.

Steps

Recognize the Symptoms of Typhoid Fever

1. The primary indication of typhoid infection is persistent, high fever in the range of 103° to 104° F (39° to 40° C). Additional symptoms and indicators include headache, malaise, stomach pain, loss of appetite, enlargement of the spleen, a rash of flat, rose-colored spots, a well as an abnormally slow heartbeat - usually less than 60 beats per minute. Other mild and non-typical infections may occur.
2. The only way to be certain if the illness is typhoid fever is by clinical analysis of stool or blood.
3. See a physician immediately for treatment if you think you have contracted this disease.

Preventing Typhoid Fever

1. Eat only safely prepared foods while traveling to areas where typhoid fever occurs. Take the following precautions to ensure you are not ingesting foods that may be infected:
   • Eat food that has been well cooked and is served steaming hot.
   • Avoid raw vegetables and fruits that cannot be peeled. Vegetables like lettuce are easily contaminated and are very hard to wash well.
   • Peel and clean raw fruits and vegetables yourself.
   • Avoid foods and beverages from street vendors. It is difficult for food to be kept clean on the street
2. Make sure to drink water from clean, untainted sources.
   • If you drink water, buy it bottled or bring it to a rolling boil for one minute before drinking it. Bottled, carbonated water is safer than uncarbonated water.
   • Even ice can be contaminated, so either do without it, or make sure the water used to make the ice was wither from a bottle or boiled.
3. Get vaccinated for typhoid fever if you are traveling to or through any part of the world where exposure to the disease is possible.
4. The vaccine is NOT 100 percent effective, so utilize both preventative measures of vaccination and safe food and water preparation to prevent typhoid fever.
5. Two forms of the vaccine are available in the United States. Both are equally effective at preventing typhoid fever, but the duration of effectiveness differs significantly.
   • The longest-lasting vaccine is taken orally in capsular form - one capsule every other day for eight days and a total of four capsules. This form of vaccination provides protection for five years.
     • This treatment regimen must be completed one week prior to travel.
   • The alternative, and shorter-duration vaccine, is given intramuscularly (a shot) and provides protection for two years.
     • This treatment regimen must be administered two weeks prior to travel.

Tips

1. Don't wait until the last minute to get vaccinated, as it can take up to two weeks for the vaccine to be effective.
2. Find out as soon as possible if the area you are located or plan to travel to puts you at risk to typhoid fever.

Warnings

1. Vaccination is only 50 to 80 percent effective at preventing typhoid fever, so make certain to take as many preventative measures as possible, and do not rely solely on vaccination.
2. It is not recommended to vaccinate children under six years of age.
3. Pregnant women should not receive vaccination.