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What is Typhoid?
Typhoid fever is a life-threatening disease caused by a bacteria Salmonella Typhi. Salmonella Typhi only lives in humans. People with typhoid fever carry the bacteria in their bloodstream and intestinal tract. Severe cases may lead to serious complications or even death. Fatality rates in typhoid fever range from 1-4% in treated cases and 10-20% in untreated cases. The highest fatality rates are reported in children under 4 years of age.
What are the symptoms of Typhoid?
Sustained high fever, weakness, stomach pain, headache, loss of appetite, and in some cases a rash. Symptoms usually appear one to three weeks after exposure. Without treatment, the illness may last for weeks or months and can lead to serious complications.
How does Typhoid spread?
Typhoid spreads through contaminated food and water. The bacteria are passed in the faeces and urine of infected people, and people become infected after eating food or drinking water that has been handled by an infected person or contaminated with sewage carrying the bacteria. Poor sanitation and unsafe drinking water increase the risk.
What is Typhoid's status in Pakistan?
Typhoid is endemic in Pakistan and remains a significant public health concern, particularly among young children. The country has faced outbreaks of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) typhoid, which makes treatment more difficult and underscores the importance of prevention through vaccination and safe water and sanitation.
How do you prevent Typhoid?
Vaccination is a key way to protect children against typhoid. The Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) has been introduced into Pakistan's routine EPI program and is given to children free of charge. Alongside vaccination, drinking safe water, eating properly cooked food, washing hands, and maintaining good sanitation all help prevent the spread of typhoid.
Vaccine at a glance
Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV)
- Single dose given at 9 months of age
- Given free of charge through EPI Sindh
- Protects against drug-resistant typhoid