Typhoid Vaccination
20 mins
£45
About typhoid fever
Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection that can spread throughout the body, affecting many organs. Without prompt treatment, it can cause severe complications and can be fatal. It is caused by a bacterium called Salmonella typhi, which is related to the bacteria that cause salmonella food poisoning.
Typhoid fever is highly contagious. An infected person can pass the bacteria out of their body in their poo or, less commonly, in their pee. Suppose someone else eats food or drinks water contaminated with a small amount of infected poo or pee. In that case, they can become infected with the bacteria and develop typhoid fever.
How can you get typhoid?
The Salmonella typhi bacteria will be in the poo or pee of an infected person after they have been to the toilet. If they don't wash their hands properly afterwards, they can contaminate any food they touch.
Infected human waste can contaminate the water supply in parts of the world with poor sanitation. People who drink contaminated water or eat food washed in contaminated water can develop typhoid fever.
Other ways typhoid fever can be contracted include:
using a toilet contaminated with bacteria and touching your mouth before washing your hands
eating seafood from a water source contaminated by infected poo or pee
eating raw vegetables that have been fertilised with human waste
contaminated milk products
having oral or anal sex with a person who's a carrier of Salmonella typhi bacteria