Typhoid Jab
Mar 31, 2019, 3:12 pm
#1
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Join Date: Mar 2019
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Typhoid Jab
Had a typhoid jab when I was 16 and I had a very bad reaction. 7 days high fever with very bad stomach aches.
At age 32 honeymoon in Thailand and Hong Kong and had another typhoid jab. Reaction was worse.
Planning on India trip for next year. I know typhoid jabs are recommended but at age 67 I would rather not take the risk of another bad reaction and would rather not go.
Just wonder if anyone out there has had a similar experience and travelled without the jab. Have had various other jabs over the years and no reactions only with typhoid jab.
At age 32 honeymoon in Thailand and Hong Kong and had another typhoid jab. Reaction was worse.
Planning on India trip for next year. I know typhoid jabs are recommended but at age 67 I would rather not take the risk of another bad reaction and would rather not go.
Just wonder if anyone out there has had a similar experience and travelled without the jab. Have had various other jabs over the years and no reactions only with typhoid jab.
Mar 31, 2019, 3:18 pm
#2
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First of all, is the typhoid shot required for entry into India (or other countries) on your itinerary or just recommended? Start by looking at the rules, then have a discussion with your own doctor and/or a specialist in travel medicine.
Risks could vary depending on the time of year, length of trip, specific locations to be visited, and where you will be staying and eating.
Risks could vary depending on the time of year, length of trip, specific locations to be visited, and where you will be staying and eating.
Mar 31, 2019, 9:38 pm
#4
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I'd also ask a medical professional about the vaccination and if anything has changed in the prior 35 years if my math is correct based on your numbers. It's possible there's something different being administered than when you last had it?
I visited India last year and was reluctant to take the antimalarials but was advised by a friend (who is a physician) to go with one that was generally well-tolerated versus the prior types commonly administered. It turned out to be fine.
I visited India last year and was reluctant to take the antimalarials but was advised by a friend (who is a physician) to go with one that was generally well-tolerated versus the prior types commonly administered. It turned out to be fine.
Apr 1, 2019, 1:22 am
#5
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It really depends where/what you will go/stay/eat. If you are on a trip where the water served is clean and the food cooked properly (luxury/5* hotels) then you don't need a typhoid vaccination. If you are going to consume food on the street and be exposed to water from questionable sources you are better advised to be vaccinated. I got typhoid from the the office building canteen back in the 90s.
Apr 1, 2019, 2:11 am
#6
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Any requirement imposed would have nothing to do with protecting the visitor (that's your business): it concerns protecting the native population from disease the visitor might bring in. As typhoid is endemic, requiring visitors to be vaccinated would be pointless.
Apr 1, 2019, 8:05 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 581
I currently end up travelling to India every other week for work. Haven't taken malaria tablets or typhoid jabs. I stick to bottled water at all times and usually avoid food from street vendors (though have tried from some vendors based on colleagues recommendation).
Apr 2, 2019, 11:40 am
#8
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i have a lot of friends & clients visiting india from time to time....i know some of them have taken a typhoid shot but most of them don't....just stick to bottled water & you will be fine....
Jan 10, 2020, 6:54 pm
#9
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,203
Sorry to add to old thread but this is very common question and misconception
Stick to bottled water (making sure that seal is from reputable source)
Also watch water in your food
Panipuri is a risk.
Coconut water directly from coconut is not..
Freshly prepared idlis are fine, one day old chutney may not be.
Freshly prepared boiled tea is fine, water droplets leftover on the rim of the cup after questionable washing, may not be.
If typhoid vaccine is guaranteed to give you bad reaction then it is safer to skip and take extra precautions in what you eat/drink.
Stick to bottled water (making sure that seal is from reputable source)
Also watch water in your food
Panipuri is a risk.
Coconut water directly from coconut is not..
Freshly prepared idlis are fine, one day old chutney may not be.
Freshly prepared boiled tea is fine, water droplets leftover on the rim of the cup after questionable washing, may not be.
If typhoid vaccine is guaranteed to give you bad reaction then it is safer to skip and take extra precautions in what you eat/drink.