Typhoid is a serious bacterial infection caught from contaminated food or water. It causes high fever, abdominal pain, headaches and can lead to life-threatening complications including intestinal bleeding and perforation if untreated.
Most UK cases occur in people travelling to Bangladesh, India and Pakistan, especially those visiting friends and relatives. Even short trips can carry risk if food and water hygiene is poor.
Northfields Travel Clinic, based at Bramley Pharmacy, offers fast access to the Typhoid vaccine (Typhim Vi) to keep you protected before you travel.
For detailed travel-specific guidance, see the official NaTHNaC page:
https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/factsheet/34/typhoid
Typhoid fever is caused by Salmonella Typhi. A similar infection, paratyphoid fever, is caused by Salmonella Paratyphi. Together, these illnesses are known as enteric fever.
You can catch typhoid or paratyphoid from:
Food or drinking water contaminated with human waste
Poor hand hygiene
Eating food prepared by someone carrying the bacteria
Contaminated street food or ice
The highest-risk areas include:
Indian subcontinent (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh)
Southeast Asia
Parts of Africa
Central and South America
Most UK cases are in travellers visiting relatives in their country of origin.
Symptoms usually develop 1–3 weeks after infection and may include:
Persistent fever
Headache
Muscle or joint aches
Constipation or diarrhoea
Abdominal discomfort
Dry cough
Rash (“rose spots”)
Without treatment, typhoid can cause:
Intestinal bleeding
Perforation (a hole in the bowel)
Severe dehydration
Life-threatening infection
If treated promptly, most people make a full recovery.
Typhoid is typically treated with antibiotics. However:
Some strains are resistant to certain antibiotics
Early diagnosis is important
Stool/urine/blood tests may be needed
Severe cases may require hospital admission
Hydration and rest are essential
If symptoms get worse or do not improve, urgent medical review is required.
Because typhoid spreads via contaminated food and water, prevention is essential:
Drink bottled, boiled or purified water
Avoid ice unless you are certain it is from safe water
Eat food freshly cooked and served hot
Avoid raw salads, cut fruit, and unpasteurised dairy
Wash hands regularly and use hand sanitiser
Avoid street food if hygiene standards are unclear
Good hygiene remains essential even if vaccinated, as vaccines do not protect against paratyphoid.
Vaccination is recommended for travellers going to areas with poor sanitation or where typhoid is common. It is especially important if:
You are visiting friends and relatives
You will be staying with local families
Your travel involves rural areas
You will be travelling long-term
You are a young adult or child visiting high-risk regions
Brand: Typhim Vi
Type: Inactivated injectable vaccine
Doses: Single dose
Price: £35
Age suitability: Generally from 2 years+
Protection lasts: Up to 3 years
An oral typhoid vaccine exists but is not widely used in the UK and is not offered at our clinic.
Public Health England (Green Book) guidance:
Children aged 12 months–2 years can be vaccinated if the risk is high
Not recommended for children under 1 year
Good food/water hygiene must be emphasised for young travellers
Our travel specialist pharmacist will assess clinical suitability.
One dose of Typhim Vi protects for 3 years.
A booster is recommended every 3 years if you remain at risk.
Vaccination:
Reduces your risk of infection
Reduces severity if you do become infected
Helps protect vulnerable travellers
Is required by many employers or volunteer organisations
It does not protect against paratyphoid — so hygiene is still essential.
Our Northfields Travel Clinic team provides the Typhoid vaccine on-site at Bramley Pharmacy, 261 Northfield Avenue, Ealing, W5.
Use our online booking widget to schedule your appointment.
Stay protected, reduce your risk of infection, and enjoy safer travels.
Yes. Vaccination reduces risk but does not protect against paratyphoid.
Ideally 2–3 weeks, but we can vaccinate closer to departure if needed.
Yes, from 12 months in high-risk situations. Under 1 year, hygiene advice is essential.
Yes. A combined vaccine exists, and we can discuss whether it suits your itinerary.
Most are mild: soreness at the injection site, low-grade fever or tiredness.
NaTHNaC / TravelHealthPro – Typhoid
https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/factsheet/34/typhoid
WHO – Typhoid Fact Sheet
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/typhoid
Green Book – Typhoid Chapter
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/typhoid-the-green-book-chapter-33