Typhoid (also called "typhoid fever") is a serious disease caused by Salmonella typhi bacteria.

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Typhoid can be fatal if left untreated. It can cause muscle aches, severe headaches, high fever, weakness, confusion or agitation, stomach pain, diarrhoea or constipation, and rose-coloured spots on the skin.

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Untreated typhoid infection may lead to kidney failure, or intestinal bleeding caused by perforation (forming of a hole), which can be fatal. If the infection spreads to the gallbladder, the infected person may become a chronic carrier of the bacteria that causes typhoid. A carrier may have no symptoms but is capable of spreading the infection to others.

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Typhoid is spread through contact with the stool (bowel movements) of a person infected with the bacteria. This usually occurs by eating food or drinking water that has become contaminated with faeces from an infected person. Once in the digestive tract, typhoid infection can spread to the blood and other parts of the body.

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This service is suitable for adults and children who are at least 2 years old. Typhoid vaccine is recommended for people who travel to areas where the disease is common. This vaccine works by exposing you to a small amount of the bacteria, which causes your body to develop immunity to the disease.

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One dose of the typhoid vaccine is recommended at least 2 weeks before travel. Subsequent doses (boosters) are recommended every 2 years for those most at risk.

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Please note, the typhoid vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed.