Typhoid Fever and Food—“Gimme One with Mustard and aa Immunization!”

For those of us who enjoy world travel, we know just how exciting it is to sample the local cuisine. Aside from the museums and sunsets, tourist traps and photo ops—there is the local food. Many people even arrange their vacations according to the indigenous menu. Foie Gras in Paris, fresh sword fish in Indonesia, chocolate in Switzerland, well, you get the picture. Unfortunately, there are dangers that lurk in some international ingredients. There are germs, viruses, all types of infectious agents that silently lurk in the crevices and cracks of food abroad. When planning a trip overseas, one should always visit a certified travel clinic to arrange a one-on-one with a professional doctor who can carefully check your itinerary and recommend a vaccination or two to keep you safe.

Let’s take an illness like typhoid, for instance. Typhoid is still quite common throughout the developing world and infection rates are high. It is believed that over twenty-one million people a year become infected with typhoid. It is so easily passed on, there seems to be no stopping it in some areas of the world. Thankfully, anyone visiting these areas can have a typhoid vaccination administered before their journey begins to retain their good health during their trip.

What is typhoid? Typhoid is a bacterial infection caused by the germ Salmonella typhi. The bacterium lives in the blood and stomachs of some people who do not even realize they have it—nor do they show any symptoms! These individuals are called “carriers”. It is much easier to understand why and how the disease can spread and remain active when its means of infection are understood. In poorer countries where people do not have the luxury of visiting doctors unless they are in serious pain, identifying typhoid carriers is that much more difficult for authorities. This is one more reason why we Americans should take advantage of our superior healthcare system and receive the proper vaccination for our journey.

Developed countries in North America and in Europe have done a great job at eradicating the typhoid germ from their mainstream societies. It is in countries that are less developed, say India, Mexico, many countries in Central and South America, and many parts of Asia where the problem is still a big danger to the locals and the tourists alike.

How does typhoid spread? There’s just no way to sugarcoat this, so here it is: the carriers excrete the infection when they use the bathroom (as it lives in the urine and feces of those infected). The germs get on the hands and the hands handle food, it’s that simple. Once you ingest the contaminated food you are at risk of catching typhoid. Grandma always said wash your hands after you use the bathroom. Grandmas always know best! Grandma would also recommend a typhoid vaccination if visiting any of the at-risk areas mentioned above.

If a typhoid infection goes untreated (or unprotected via the vaccination) typhoid fever may develop. This sickness is quite common in those infected and includes the following symptoms:

Fever
Abdominal pain
Bowel movement problems
Headaches
Appetite reduction
Tiredness
Coughing
Blotches on the skin

If any of these symptoms occur while away—or after returning from a trip—it is well-past time to see a certified travel specialist. Typhoid is a life-threatening illness. It is nothing to be flippant about. Remember, it is much more effective to visit a travel clinic before your trip so that you can remain healthy on your journey. Receiving a simple vaccination makes much more sense than dealing with the repercussions of a typhoid infection.