Hepatitis A and Typhoid
About the vaccine
When to get vaccinated: At least two weeks before travel..
Course: One dose.
Boosters: You will need a booster for hepatitis A after one year to remain protected. Thereafter, you’re protected for 25 years. You will need a booster for typhoid after three years to stay.
How it is given: An injection in the upper arm.
Side effects: You may notice some soreness or rednes at the injection site. Other possible side effects include headache, nausea and fever.
Children: We provide this vaccine for children over the age of 15.
Additional precautions: You need to practise food and water safety as well as hand hygiene while in an area where hepatitis A or typhoid are endemic.
Risk if you contract hepatitis A or typhoid: Hepatitis A can cause mild to severe symptoms, including fever and digestive issues. It can cause complications such as liver failure. Typhoid usually starts with symptoms such as fever, feeling sick, constipation or diarrhoea. If left untreated, it can cause serious complications including organ failure and death.
What is hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is a viral infection, which affects the human liver. The hepatitis A virus is usually ingested via contaminated food or water and is endemic to countries with an insufficient sanitation system. It can spread rapidly and is known to cause sudden epidemics. After an incubation period of 2 – 4 weeks, patients usually develop hepatitis A symptoms such as fever, digestive problems and jaundice. The severity of the symptoms varies in different people and can range from mild to very severe. In rare cases, hepatitis A can lead to complications such as cholestasis and liver failure. According to the World Health Organisation, every year there are about 1.4 million cases of hepatitis A worldwide.
What is typhoid?
Typhoid fever is caused by a bacterium called Salmonella typhi. It is a highly contagious and potentially lethal disease, which spreads via contaminated foods and water. As typhoid bacteria are primarily found in faeces, the infection is particularly common in regions with poor sanitation. Common symptoms of typhoid fever include a high temperature, headaches, nausea, muscle pain, digestion problems such as constipation or diarrhoea, tiredness and confusion. Some patients also experience a rash.
