Definition of Disease...
HOW TO AVOID TYPHOID...
Typhoid fever is a life-threatening illness caused by the
bacterium Salmonella Typhi. In the United States about 400
cases occur each year, and 70% of these are acquired while
traveling internationally. Typhoid fever is still common in
the developing world, where it affects about 12.5 million
persons each year.
Typhoid fever can be prevented and can usually be treated
with antibiotics. If you are planning to travel outside the
United States, you should know about typhoid fever and what
steps you can take to protect yourself.
HOW IS TYPHOID FEVER SPREAD?
Salmonella Typhi lives only in humans. Persons with typhoid
fever carry the bacteria in their bloodstream and intestinal
tract. In addition, a small number of persons, called carriers
, recover from typhoid fever but continue to carry the bacteria.
Both ill persons and carriers shed S. Typhi in their feces
(stool).
You can get typhoid fever if you eat food or drink beverages
that have been handled by a person who is shedding S. Typhi
or if sewage contaminated with S. Typhi bacteria gets into
the water you use for drinking or washing food. Therefore,
typhoid fever is more common in areas of the world where handwashing
is less frequent and water is likely to be contaminated with
sewage. Once S. Typhi bacteria are eaten or drunk, they multiply
and spread into the bloodstream. The body reacts with fever
and other signs and symptoms.
WHERE IN THE WORLD DO YOU GET TYPHOID FEVER?
Typhoid fever is common in most parts of the world except
in industrialized regions such as the United States, Canada,
western Europe, Australia, and Japan. Therefore, if you are
traveling to the developing world, you should consider taking
precautions. Over the past 10 years, travelers from the United
States to Asia, Africa, and Latin America have been especially
at risk.
HOW CAN YOU AVOID TYPHOID FEVER?
Two basic actions can protect you from typhoid fever:
- Avoid risky foods and drinks.
- Get vaccinated against typhoid fever.
It may surprise you, but watching what you eat and drink
when you travel is as important as being vaccinated. This
is because the vaccines are not completely effective. Avoiding
risky foods will also help protect you from other illnesses,
including travelers' diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, and hepatitis
A.
BOIL IT, COOK IT, PEEL IT, OR FORGET IT!
- If you drink water, buy it bottled or bring it to a rolling
boil for 1 minute before you drink it. Bottled carbonated
water is safer than uncarbonated water.
- Ask for drinks without ice unless the ice is made from
bottled or boiled water. Avoid popsicles and flavored ices
that may have been made with contaminated water.
- Eat foods that have been thoroughly cooked and that are
still hot and steaming.
- Avoid raw vegetables and fruits that cannot be peeled.
Vegetables like lettuce are easily contaminated and are
very hard to wash well.
- When you eat raw fruit or vegetables that can be peeled,
peel them yourself. (Wash your hands with soap first.) Do
not eat the peelings.
Avoid foods and beverages from street vendors. It is difficult
for food to be kept clean on the street, and many travelers
get sick from food bought from street vendors.
GETTING VACCINATED
If you are traveling to a country where typhoid is common,
you should consider being vaccinated against typhoid. Visit
a doctor or travel clinic to discuss your vaccination options.
Remember that you will need to complete your vaccination
at least 1 week before you travel so that the vaccine has
time to take effect. Typhoid vaccines lose effectiveness after
several years; if you were vaccinated in the past, check with
your doctor to see if it is time for a booster vaccination.
Taking antibiotics will not prevent typhoid fever; they only
help treat it.
Office hours are Monday through Friday:
9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon and 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
We accept cash, check, Visa and Mastercard.
C. Michael Lewis, D.O.
G-8195 S. South Saginaw Street
Suite B, Grand Blanc, MI 48439
Phone: (810) 694-5393
Toll Free: 800-966-5393
Fax: (810) 694-5394
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