Travel Clinic - Typhoid Explained

There are up to 17 million cases of typhoid worldwide every year, so should you be worried? If you're flying abroad, staff at one of City Docs travel clinics in London and across the country will advise you.

In the UK, it's easy to forget about debilitating, potentially deadly viruses and diseases – viruses such as TB, rabies and yellow fever, which seem to have been eradicated long ago. But as a travel clinic will tell you, all those diseases are still major killers across the world. And if you don't get vaccinated in a travel clinic before you fly, you could be putting yourself at risk. Typhoid is another of those old fashioned diseases that is still very much alive and kicking in many places in the world. In fact, typhoid is still a problem in the UK. In 2006, 248 cases were reported in England and Wales, a relatively small figure, but when you consider that an estimated 600,000 people die globally every year, the risks are clearly far greater than you may think. If you're travelling to developing nations there's a higher risk of catching many diseases developing countries routinely vaccinate against. A travel clinic will tell you if you are at risk, but typhoid fever is a major problem in developing countries, including Africa and South America, and an even greater risk on the Indian subcontinent. Polluted water and food is a common source of typhoid fever, which is caused by bacteria.

Travel Clinic: Controlling the Typhoid Risk

Typhoid can be fatal with a one in ten mortality rate if treatment is not received. The patient suffers with diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea and headache. People who pick up typhoid are infectious to others as long as the bacteria is in their system. If you are travelling to any of the countries that have had outbreaks of typhoid or where typhoid is a common problem, you should receive a vaccination at your travel clinic. Your travel clinic will offer a four-dose oral vaccine or single-dose injection which will help prevent typhoid by 75%. Your travel clinic will advise you on which one is most suitable for your needs.

Typhoid: UK Risks

The major typhoid outbreak in Aberdeen in 1964 left the Scottish city 'under siege' as 500 people were quarantined, and the city ground to a halt. The typhoid originated from contaminated corned beef but shows how rapidly the fever can spread. Safeguarding yourself from typhoid at a travel clinic not only protects your own health but the health of those around you.

Choose CityDoc for all your Travel Clinic needs

At CityDoc, you can book over the phone or walk into one of our travel clinics for a same-day appointment. Don't travel abroad without ensuring that you've had the right vaccinations. CityDoc provides a complete travel clinic service, customized to your individual needs. Our pre-travel consultations are with experienced General Practitioners who will assess the impact of any pre-existing chronic medical conditions on your vaccine requirements. We have the full range of travel vaccines in stock including rarer vaccines such as Japanese Encephalitis. CityDoc is a registered yellow fever centre and is able to dispense anti-malarials directly from our in house pharmacy for your added convenience. Choose from our three London travel clinics and Birmingham travel clinics for ease of access.