Typhoid - problem or paranoia

Baldy · Dec 20th, 2004, 09:31

The travel meds clinics here insist that travellers to India take typhoid shots -that is is prevalent and the risk is real. Is this an attempt to over-service or is there a real problem?

Has anyone information or experience on this disease?

Baldy

dzibead · Dec 20th, 2004, 10:40

The following article indicates that the problem is real:

http://www.indianewengland.com/news/...d-702041.shtml

Since the Center for Disease Control's website says there are reports of recent outbreaks of drug-resistent typhoid in India and Nepal, I'd say vaccination ahead of time is important, since untreated or inadequately treated typhoid can be fatal.

dzibead · Dec 20th, 2004, 10:43

I just tried the link in my own previous post and it takes you to a sign-in page, so here's the whole article, which I found by Googling "India" and "typhoid":

Travelers to India at high risk of typhoid
By INDIA New England Staff
Published: 8/15/2004

Unvaccinated travelers who make even short-term visits to countries like India where typhoid fever is endemic are at risk of contracting the disease, according to an article in the July 15 issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases.

Salmonella Typhi is the typhoid fever-causing bacterium that infects people who consume contaminated food or water. Symptoms of the illness, which can be fatal if left untreated, may include fever, rash, stomach ache, slowed pulse, enlarged spleen and delirium.

The study, conducted by researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the University of Washington, examined nearly 1,400 typhoid fever cases reported from 1994 through 1999.

Three-quarters of the cases were associated with international travel, and six countries - India, Pakistan, Mexico, Bangladesh, the Philippines and Haiti - were the sources of 76 percent of the travel-related typhoid fever.

Only 4 percent of the patients had been immunized against typhoid fever within five years of traveling.

Why do so few travelers get vaccinated if the risk of illness is so high?

"Many travelers probably do not seek travel advice and are unaware of the risks of typhoid fever," said Dr. Ellen Steinberg Stevenson of the CDC.

She recommends that people prepare for those risks by visiting travel medicine clinics before going on international trips.

Eating the local cuisine presents the largest risk. Food or water that has come into contact with human feces - whether it's shellfish that were in sewage-tinged mud or food from a street vendor with no access to a latrine or a place to wash his hands - can result in a case of typhoid fever.

The length of a traveler's visit wasn't the only factor influencing who got typhoid fever, since the amount of Salmonella Typhi in a single meal could be enough to result in illness.

"You could ingest it on the first day you arrive or after being there for a few months," said Steinberg Stevenson.

Of the patients studied, more than a third had spent a month or less abroad, and 5 percent had traveled for a week or less.

Vaccination against typhoid fever is a good way of fighting the illness, but it's not always 100 percent effective.

"People should still pay attention to careful food and water practices," said Steinberg Stevenson.

Water - including that used for ice cubes - should be boiled before consumption. A CDC rule of thumb for potentially contaminated food and drink, she added, is "Boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it."

For information on typhoid fever, visit http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/disea...oidfever_g.htm and www.cdc.gov/travel/diseases/typhoid.htm.

pooch · Dec 20th, 2004, 11:04

I never took any shots for India but I think the bottomline is you are suscept, I am afflicted with malaria right now

seventies'hippy · Dec 20th, 2004, 13:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baldy

The travel meds clinics here insist that travellers to India take typhoid shots -that is is prevalent and the risk is real. Is this an attempt to over-service or is there a real problem?

Has anyone information or experience on this disease?

Baldy

Typhoid is very Real,,,,,,,,,
Though if you keep up with your shots it only means a booster shot every few years.

pooch,
Sorry to read of your malaria, Best wishes for a full & speedy recovery,

mira4bai4 · Dec 20th, 2004, 14:31

Well the only vaccinations that my medical nurse wife would entertain was Typhoid and Hep A & B, these two are the essentials, the rest except for Japanese B Encephalitis readily dealt with. Jap E is a trick as the side effects from the vaccination is almost as bad as the illness.

mira4bai4 · Dec 21st, 2004, 13:12

Hi Pooch, sorry about the malaria, such is a travellers life. What is the situation and treatment, if you don't mind sharing it might be of interest to many who are obviously thinking about wearing garlic round their necks and chanting holy mantras to aid in their protection.

federica · Dec 21st, 2004, 16:27

Hi,

when I went to the institute for tropical medicine for the first time they told me that even if I take the shot, it works only with 60% of the ppl. So they didn't recommend it. It means 40% don't develop antibodies.... They advised me strongly to be careful, especially with water. But being careful is quite difficult over here, so I took the shot. No side affects, as I remember it was one of the cheapest. I had a lot of other stuff, some of it not very nice...
Being worried is generally bad for immune system, and a good immune systemthat's the most important thing over here, as you are surrounded by germs. So better don't think too much about it. I am staying here since almost five months and I am more or less ok. I still feel the road traffic is the most dangerous thing in India...

Krishnika · Dec 21st, 2004, 17:03

There is new injection vaccine that is much more effective with less side effects. Make sure you don't get an out of date type. But I think most people recommend the oral series. About 75% effective and considered worth it.

mira4bai4 · Dec 21st, 2004, 17:13

Worrying is somewhat dangerous, imagine worrying about crossing the road in the middle of it, splat thud.

The germs are in 3 groups, small medium and large as with the bugs, but bacteria are only in 2 groups.

There is the good and evil bacteria, the good is that which is ours and the evil is that which wants to beat the livin crap out of ours. Now the germs and the bugs just are small, medium and large, so if you meet a germ or a bug, they are all bad; mean us no good what so ever and so there is no point worrying about them. Well, what I mean as there are some out there that get all pedantic, if we worry about our enemies they will win, that is the ancient warrior teaching, know your enemy and you shall defeat it. You see the similarity between warrior and worrier.

Krishnika · Dec 21st, 2004, 17:17

not worrying is called having an optimistic attitude about what might happen. Also known as a sunny disposition. Sun warms the body, sufficient heat can kill many small bugs.

but I'm going to take the oral series...

mira4bai4 · Dec 21st, 2004, 17:25

That is being of the warrior class, like a shot of black eye and let the battle commence.

Krishnika · Dec 21st, 2004, 17:50

Once you are vaccinated, it's much easier to not worry, be it only an illusion of protection! Probably a great technique for those warriors trying to stop worrying!

Matty Gee · Dec 21st, 2004, 18:28

PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT INJECTIONS ARE MORONS.

Just had my Typhoid and Hep 'A' Boosters today.....

DEAD ARM....!

mira4bai4 · Dec 21st, 2004, 19:07

Take it in the thigh or bum man, even with bad aim or a wobbly needle there is more flesh to work with and dead arms are no good to you. My first jab was in the thigh and that was great, the second got me in the bum and thank god it was not in the arm, major bruising, bad girl that one.

Dec 20th, 2004, 09:31	#1
Baldy gotta pee ... Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Brisbane Posts: 187	Typhoid - problem or paranoia The travel meds clinics here insist that travellers to India take typhoid shots -that is is prevalent and the risk is real. Is this an attempt to over-service or is there a real problem? Has anyone information or experience on this disease? Baldy

Dec 21st, 2004, 16:27	#8
federica Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Bavaria Posts: 893	Typhoid vaccination Hi, when I went to the institute for tropical medicine for the first time they told me that even if I take the shot, it works only with 60% of the ppl. So they didn't recommend it. It means 40% don't develop antibodies.... They advised me strongly to be careful, especially with water. But being careful is quite difficult over here, so I took the shot. No side affects, as I remember it was one of the cheapest. I had a lot of other stuff, some of it not very nice... Being worried is generally bad for immune system, and a good immune systemthat's the most important thing over here, as you are surrounded by germs. So better don't think too much about it. I am staying here since almost five months and I am more or less ok. I still feel the road traffic is the most dangerous thing in India...

Dec 21st, 2004, 18:28	#14
Matty Gee What's wrong with curry for breakfast? I love it! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 212	PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT INJECTIONS ARE MORONS. Just had my Typhoid and Hep 'A' Boosters today..... DEAD ARM....! __________________ Check my gallery out : http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser =3636

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Dec 20th, 2004, 10:40	#2
dzibead Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,975	The following article indicates that the problem is real: http://www.indianewengland.com/news/...d-702041.shtml Since the Center for Disease Control's website says there are reports of recent outbreaks of drug-resistent typhoid in India and Nepal, I'd say vaccination ahead of time is important, since untreated or inadequately treated typhoid can be fatal.

Dec 20th, 2004, 10:43	#3
dzibead Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,975	I just tried the link in my own previous post and it takes you to a sign-in page, so here's the whole article, which I found by Googling "India" and "typhoid": Travelers to India at high risk of typhoid By INDIA New England Staff Published: 8/15/2004 Unvaccinated travelers who make even short-term visits to countries like India where typhoid fever is endemic are at risk of contracting the disease, according to an article in the July 15 issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases. Salmonella Typhi is the typhoid fever-causing bacterium that infects people who consume contaminated food or water. Symptoms of the illness, which can be fatal if left untreated, may include fever, rash, stomach ache, slowed pulse, enlarged spleen and delirium. The study, conducted by researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the University of Washington, examined nearly 1,400 typhoid fever cases reported from 1994 through 1999. Three-quarters of the cases were associated with international travel, and six countries - India, Pakistan, Mexico, Bangladesh, the Philippines and Haiti - were the sources of 76 percent of the travel-related typhoid fever. Only 4 percent of the patients had been immunized against typhoid fever within five years of traveling. Why do so few travelers get vaccinated if the risk of illness is so high? "Many travelers probably do not seek travel advice and are unaware of the risks of typhoid fever," said Dr. Ellen Steinberg Stevenson of the CDC. She recommends that people prepare for those risks by visiting travel medicine clinics before going on international trips. Eating the local cuisine presents the largest risk. Food or water that has come into contact with human feces - whether it's shellfish that were in sewage-tinged mud or food from a street vendor with no access to a latrine or a place to wash his hands - can result in a case of typhoid fever. The length of a traveler's visit wasn't the only factor influencing who got typhoid fever, since the amount of Salmonella Typhi in a single meal could be enough to result in illness. "You could ingest it on the first day you arrive or after being there for a few months," said Steinberg Stevenson. Of the patients studied, more than a third had spent a month or less abroad, and 5 percent had traveled for a week or less. Vaccination against typhoid fever is a good way of fighting the illness, but it's not always 100 percent effective. "People should still pay attention to careful food and water practices," said Steinberg Stevenson. Water - including that used for ice cubes - should be boiled before consumption. A CDC rule of thumb for potentially contaminated food and drink, she added, is "Boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it." For information on typhoid fever, visit http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/disea...oidfever_g.htm and www.cdc.gov/travel/diseases/typhoid.htm.

Dec 20th, 2004, 11:04	#4
pooch Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Middle East <---->India Posts: 384	I never took any shots for India but I think the bottomline is you are suscept, I am afflicted with malaria right now

Dec 20th, 2004, 14:31	#6
mira4bai4 Lost in Space Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: ND PaharGanj Permanently/Temporarily Posts: 1,179	Well the only vaccinations that my medical nurse wife would entertain was Typhoid and Hep A & B, these two are the essentials, the rest except for Japanese B Encephalitis readily dealt with. Jap E is a trick as the side effects from the vaccination is almost as bad as the illness.

Dec 21st, 2004, 13:12	#7
mira4bai4 Lost in Space Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: ND PaharGanj Permanently/Temporarily Posts: 1,179	Hi Pooch, sorry about the malaria, such is a travellers life. What is the situation and treatment, if you don't mind sharing it might be of interest to many who are obviously thinking about wearing garlic round their necks and chanting holy mantras to aid in their protection.

Dec 21st, 2004, 17:03	#9
Krishnika taking a break Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 233	There is new injection vaccine that is much more effective with less side effects. Make sure you don't get an out of date type. But I think most people recommend the oral series. About 75% effective and considered worth it.

Dec 21st, 2004, 17:13	#10
mira4bai4 Lost in Space Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: ND PaharGanj Permanently/Temporarily Posts: 1,179	Worrying is somewhat dangerous, imagine worrying about crossing the road in the middle of it, splat thud. The germs are in 3 groups, small medium and large as with the bugs, but bacteria are only in 2 groups. There is the good and evil bacteria, the good is that which is ours and the evil is that which wants to beat the livin crap out of ours. Now the germs and the bugs just are small, medium and large, so if you meet a germ or a bug, they are all bad; mean us no good what so ever and so there is no point worrying about them. Well, what I mean as there are some out there that get all pedantic, if we worry about our enemies they will win, that is the ancient warrior teaching, know your enemy and you shall defeat it. You see the similarity between warrior and worrier.

Dec 21st, 2004, 17:17	#11
Krishnika taking a break Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 233	not worrying is called having an optimistic attitude about what might happen. Also known as a sunny disposition. Sun warms the body, sufficient heat can kill many small bugs. but I'm going to take the oral series...

Dec 21st, 2004, 17:25	#12
mira4bai4 Lost in Space Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: ND PaharGanj Permanently/Temporarily Posts: 1,179	That is being of the warrior class, like a shot of black eye and let the battle commence.

Dec 21st, 2004, 17:50	#13
Krishnika taking a break Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 233	Once you are vaccinated, it's much easier to not worry, be it only an illusion of protection! Probably a great technique for those warriors trying to stop worrying!

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Dec 21st, 2004, 19:07	#15
mira4bai4 Lost in Space Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: ND PaharGanj Permanently/Temporarily Posts: 1,179	Take it in the thigh or bum man, even with bad aim or a wobbly needle there is more flesh to work with and dead arms are no good to you. My first jab was in the thigh and that was great, the second got me in the bum and thank god it was not in the arm, major bruising, bad girl that one.