Typhoid vaccine (inactivated), injection

Typhoid (also called "typhoid fever") is a serious disease caused by Salmonella typhi bacteria. Typhoid can be fatal if left untreated.

Typhoid can cause high fever, muscle aches, severe headache, weakness, confusion or agitation, loss of appetite, stomach pain, diarrhea or constipation, and rose-colored spots on the skin.

Untreated typhoid infection may lead to kidney failure, or intestinal bleeding caused by perforation (forming of a hole), which can be fatal. If the infection spreads to the gallbladder, the infected person may become a chronic carrier of the bacteria that causes typhoid. A carrier may have no symptoms but is capable of spreading the infection to others.

Typhoid is spread through contact with the stool (bowel movements) of a person infected with the bacteria. This usually occurs by eating food or drinking water that has become contaminated with feces from an infected person. Once in the digestive tract, typhoid infection can spread to the blood and other parts of the body.

Typhoid fever is most common in non-industrialized parts of the world, especially Asia, Africa, and Central or South America. People who travel to those regions are at risk of coming into contact with the disease.

The typhoid vaccine is used to help prevent this disease in adults and children who are at least 2 years old. Although not part of a routine immunization schedule in the U.S., typhoid vaccine is recommended for people who travel to areas where the disease is common.

This vaccine works by exposing you to a small amount of the bacteria, which causes your body to develop immunity to the disease.

Typhoid vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body, and will not prevent any disease caused by bacteria other than Salmonella typhi.

Like any vaccine, the typhoid vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.

You should not receive this vaccine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to typhoid vaccine in the past.

Typhoid vaccine should not be used in a person who is a typhoid carrier.

Before you receive this vaccine, tell the doctor if you have a fever with any type of infection or illness, a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, a weak immune system caused by disease or by using certain medicines, or if you are taking a blood thinner or receiving chemotherapy or radiation.

You can still receive a vaccine if you have a minor cold. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, the doctor may ask you to wait until you get better before you can receive the vaccine.

You should receive this vaccine at least 2 weeks before your scheduled travel or possible exposure to typhoid.

In addition to receiving typhoid vaccine, take precautions while traveling such as avoiding raw fruits or vegetables that cannot be peeled, drinks that contain ice, flavored ices that may have been made with contaminated water, unbottled or unboiled water, or any food or beverage purchased from a street vendor.

Keep track of any and all side effects you have after receiving a typhoid vaccine. When you receive a booster dose, you will need to tell the doctor if the previous shots caused any side effects.

You should not receive this vaccine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to typhoid vaccine in the past.

Typhoid vaccine should not be used in a person who is a typhoid carrier.

If you have any of these other conditions, your vaccine may need to be postponed or not given at all:

• fever with any type of infection or illness;

• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder (such as hemophilia);

• a weak immune system caused by disease such as HIV/AIDS or cancer; or

• a weak immune system caused by receiving certain medicines such as steroids, chemotherapy or radiation.

You can still receive a vaccine if you have a minor cold. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, the doctor may ask you to wait until you get better before you can receive the vaccine.

Vaccines may be harmful to an unborn baby and generally should not be given to a pregnant woman. However, not vaccinating the mother could be more harmful to the baby if the mother becomes infected with a disease that this vaccine could prevent. Your doctor will decide whether you should receive this vaccine, especially if you have a high risk of infection with typhoid.

It is not known whether typhoid vaccine passes into breast milk, or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not receive this vaccine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Be sure to receive a booster dose of this vaccine every 2 years during continued exposure to typhoid. If you do not receive the booster every 2 years, you may not be fully protected against the disease.

You should not receive a booster vaccine if you had a life-threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.

Keep track of any and all side effects you have after receiving this vaccine. When you receive a booster dose, you will need to tell the doctor if the previous shots caused any side effects.

Becoming infected with typhoid is much more dangerous to your health than receiving the vaccine to protect against it. Like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects, but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• fever, swollen glands, rash or itching, body aches;

• tremors, general ill feeling; or

• feeling like you might pass out.

Less serious side effects include:

• pain, tenderness, redness, swelling, or a hard lump where the shot was given;

• low fever;

• nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain; or

• headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report vaccine side effects to the US Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-822-7967.

Applies to typhoid vaccine, inactivated: injectable suspension, intramuscular solution, oral delayed release capsule

General

The most common adverse events were injection site reactions.[Ref]

Local

Very common (10% or more): Tenderness (98%), pain (56%), induration (18%), soreness (13%), erythema (11%)
Common (1% to 10%): Swelling
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Edema[Ref]

Local reactions usually resolved within 48 hours of vaccination.[Ref]

Other

Very common (10% or more): Malaise (37%), fatigue (38%), feverish (subjective) (11.1%)
Common (1% to 10%): Fever of 100F or greater, decreased activity, elevated oral temperature, general aches
Postmarketing reports: Asthenia, flu-like episode[Ref]

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Headache (27%)
Postmarketing reports: Syncope without convulsions, loss of consciousness, tremor, vasovagal syncope in response to injection[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Postmarketing reports: Anaphylaxis/anaphylactoid reactions including shock, serum sickness, allergic-type reactions such as pruritus, rash, urticaria, angioedema, difficulty breathing, or hypotension[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting
Postmarketing reports: Abdominal pain[Ref]

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Itching
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Urticaria, rash[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Common (1% to 10%): Myalgia
Postmarketing reports: Arthralgia, cervical pain, polyarthritis[Ref]

Hematologic

Postmarketing reports: Lymphadenopathy, neutropenia[Ref]

Ocular

Postmarketing reports: Bilateral retinitis[Ref]

Renal

Postmarketing reports: Glomerulonephritis[Ref]

Respiratory

Postmarketing reports: Asthma[Ref]

Some side effects of typhoid vaccine, inactivated may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.