
When travelling to a foreign country, it's a good idea to make a list of relevant contact details and telephone numbers in case of an emergency.Astroviruses are a type of virus that was first discovered in 1975 using electron microscopes following an outbreak of diarrhea in humans. Read more about the typhoid fever vaccination. For example, you should only drink bottled or boiled water, and you should avoid foods that could potentially be contaminated. Vaccination is particularly important if you're planning to live or work closely with local people.īut as neither vaccine offers 100% protection, it's also important to follow some precautions when travelling. It’s important to get vaccinated against typhoid fever if you’re travelling to a high risk area because some strains of the typhoid bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics. The areas with the highest rates of typhoid fever are: Vaccination is recommended for anyone planning to travel to parts of the world where typhoid fever is widespread. These involve either having a single injection or taking 3 capsules over alternate days. In the UK, 2 vaccines are available that can provide some protection against typhoid fever. Some of those who survive will have complications caused by the infection. If typhoid fever isn't treated, it's estimated that up to 1 in 5 people with the condition will die. With prompt antibiotic treatment, most people will start to feel better within a few days and serious complications are very rare.ĭeaths from typhoid fever are now virtually unheard of in the UK. More severe typhoid fever usually requires admission to hospital so antibiotic injections can be given. If typhoid fever is diagnosed early, the infection is likely to be mild and can usually be treated at home with a 7- to 14-day course of antibiotic tablets. Typhoid fever requires prompt treatment with antibiotics. Read more about the symptoms of typhoid fever and the complications of typhoid fever. If typhoid fever isn't treated, the symptoms will continue to get worse over the following weeks and the risk of developing potentially fatal complications will increase. a persistent high temperature that gradually increases each dayĪs the infection progresses, you may lose your appetite, feel sick, and have a tummy ache and diarrhoea.But you're also at risk if you visit Asia, Africa or South America. Most of these people became infected while visiting relatives in Bangladesh, India or Pakistan. Typhoid fever is uncommon in the UK, with around 300 infections confirmed each year. This may be because their immune system (the body's natural defence against infection and illness) is still developing.īut children with typhoid fever tend to have milder symptoms than adults. Worldwide, children are thought to be most at risk of developing typhoid fever. Typhoid fever is most common in parts of the world that have poor sanitation and limited access to clean water. Read more about the causes of typhoid fever. If someone else eats food or drinks water that's been contaminated with a small amount of infected poo or pee, they can become infected with the bacteria and develop typhoid fever. An infected person can pass the bacteria out of their body in their poo or, less commonly, in their pee.

It's caused by a bacterium called Salmonella typhi, which is related to the bacteria that cause salmonella food poisoning. Without prompt treatment, it can cause serious complications and can be fatal. Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection that can spread throughout the body, affecting many organs.
