Typhoid fever is a very serious disease caused by the typhoid bacteria. It is usually contracted by consuming food or water contaminated with the bacteria.

The most common symptoms of typhoid are chronic fever, tiredness, loss of appetite and exhaustion. It can progress to intestinal bleeding and perforation. It can cause death if not diagnosed and treated promptly.

Typhoid is very uncommon in Canada. However, it is common in many developing countries, especially where there is poor hygiene and sanitation.

(See more information below.)

You can easily prevent typhoid by avoiding contact with the bacteria responsible for the disease. Use careful personal hygiene and food and water precautions.

Also, vaccines are available, in both oral and injectable forms, which are very effective in reducing the risk of typhoid fever. However, the vaccines are less effective if there is extensive exposure to the bacteria.

People who have been vaccinated must continue to observe careful personal hygiene and food and water precautions in areas where typhoid is common.

Twenty per cent of people who receive the injectable vaccine will experience minor local reactions. These can include pain, swelling or redness at the injection site during the first 48 to 72 hours after immunization. About three per cent of people experience headache, fever and general discomfort.

Five per cent of people who receive the oral vaccine experience abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, cramps and diarrhea. General reactions include fever, headache, rash or hives, which occur rarely and are temporary.

Report any illness or unusual reaction that may be vaccine-related to the public health nurse.

• People who are very sensitive to the vaccine or any component (phenol)
• People with acute infectious illness
• Children under two years old, unless the risk of exposure is high
  

• People with an acute febrile illness or acute gastrointestinal illness
• People who are very sensitive to the vaccine or any component (sucrose, ascorbic acid, amino acid mixture, lactose, magnesium stearate)
• People with immunodeficiency disease or who are taking drugs that suppress the immune system
• People who are undergoing antibiotic treatment, until seven days after completion of antibiotics; also antibiotic therapy cannot begin until seven days after the last oral typhoid capsule
• Children under six years old

Precaution: The vaccines should not normally be used in pregnancy or during breastfeeding unless the benefits outweigh the risk. No reproductive studies have been conducted in animals.

• Can be given simultaneously with vaccines against tetanus, inactivated polio or meningococcal vaccines at separate sites. Data on simultaneous administration with other vaccines are not available.
  

• can be taken simultaneously with immune globulin and other live vaccines such as oral polio, measles/mumps/rubella, or yellow fever
• cannot be started until seven days after completion of antibiotic therapy; also antibiotic therapy can not be started before the seventh day after the last oral typhoid capsule.
• can be taken with the antimalarial agents Chloroquine and Fansidar.
• cannot be taken less than eight hours after the ingestion of the antimalarial mefloquine (Larium). The suggestion is to take on alternate days.
  

If you travel where typhoid fever is prevalent and you develop symptoms suggestive of typhoid fever, see a health care provider as soon as possible. Antibiotic treatment can reduce the severity of the illness.

For more information contact your local health region office.