Incidence of typhoid in UK is very uncommon and it has been observed that of the 300 infections confirmed every year most are detected in people who had visited relatives in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Is this not reason enough for UK residents venturing out of the country to get vaccinated against typhoid before travel?Vaccination against typhoid fever is especially recommended if you’ll:
- have prolonged or frequent exposure to conditions where food hygiene andsanitation are expected to be poor
- be residing or working with local people
High-risk regions include:
- Africa
- parts of South and Central America
- parts of South and Southeast Asia
It is better to get vaccinated and take precautions than repent later. Serious complications can arise as a result of typhoid infection. Perforation is a very serious Typhoid complication. This is because bacteria inhabiting your digestive system can proceed to your stomach and infect the lining of your abdomen (the peritoneum). This condition is known as peritonitis.Peritonitis is a medical emergency as in contrast to other parts of the body, like the skin, the peritoneum lacks an inbuilt defence mechanism for combating infection. The tissue of the peritoneum is generally sterile (germ-free).
In peritonitis, the infection can spread really rapidly into the blood (sepsis) before spreading to other organs.This condition carries the risk of multiple organ failure. It can be fatal if not treated properly.Sudden abdominal pain that gets progressively worse is the most common symptom of peritonitis. If you become victim of peritonitis, you’ll need to be admitted to hospital, where antibiotic injections will have to be administered to you.Surgery will then be conducted to seal the hole in your intestinal wall.
Another common complication of typhoid is internal bleeding. Such internal bleeding is generally not life threatening but can make a person really unwell. Internal bleeding can cause symptoms like breathlessness, pale skin, irregular heartbeat, blood vomit, dark or tar-like poo and feeling of tiredness all the time. Blood transfusion can be needed for lost blood replacement and surgery for repairing the site of bleeding.
Complications caused by typhoid can be effortlessly avoided through vaccination. Two main vaccines are accessible for typhoid fever in the UK. One is administered as a single injection, and the other is given in the form of 3 capsules to be taken on alternate days.Idyllically, the typhoid vaccine should be administered at least 1 month prior to your travel, but it can be administered closer to your travel date if needed.Booster vaccinations are recommended every 3 years.