Typhoid Fever

Schedule: If you are traveling to a country where typhoid is common, you should consider getting vaccinated. Visit a doctor or travel clinic to discuss your vaccination options. Remember that you will need to complete your vaccination(s) at least 1-2 weeks before you travel so that the vaccine has time to take effect.

Typhoid fever is a life-threatening illness caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi. An estimated 5,700 cases occur each year in the United States.  Most cases (up to 75%) are acquired while traveling internationally. Typhoid fever is still common in the developing world, where it affects about 21.5 million people each year.

Websites:

CDC provides information about the disease and vaccination.

Vaccines.gov provides resources from federal agencies for the general public and their communities about vaccines across the lifespan.

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia provides questions and answers about typhoid fever from the Vaccine Education Center.

Immunization Action Coalition offers free information and downloads for healthcare providers, coalitions, and parents.