Key points
- You can take steps to stay safe when traveling to countries where these diseases are common.
- Before travel: Get vaccinated against typhoid fever.
- During travel: Practice safe eating and drinking habits.
Overview
Travel Health Notice
Pakistan is experiencing an outbreak of extensively drug-resistant typhoid fever. Travelers to Pakistan and neighboring countries should take precautions.
Typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever are common in many countries.
These countries can have poor sanitation and unsafe water and food. Many of these countries are in:
- South Asia (especially Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh)
- East Asia
- Africa
- Latin America
Two basic steps can help keep you safe.
- Get a typhoid vaccination before your trip.
- Practice safe eating and drinking habits during your trip.
Vaccination
Vaccination can help prevent typhoid fever.
- Find out if you need a typhoid vaccine at www.cdc.gov/travel.
- Visit a doctor or travel clinic at least 4 weeks before you travel.
Two typhoid vaccines are available in the United States, an oral vaccine and an injectable vaccine.
Oral vaccine
Who can take it?
- People who are 6 years or older
What is it?
- 4 pills taken by mouth
How often is it taken?
- 1 pill every other day
When should it be taken?
- At least 2 weeks before travel
When do I need a booster?
- Every 5 years
Injectable vaccine
Who can take it?
- People who are 2 years or older
What is it?
- An injection (shot)
How often is it taken?
- One time
When should it be taken?
- At least 2 weeks before travel
When do I need a booster?
- Every 2 years
Boosters
Typhoid vaccines lose effectiveness (strength) over time. If you were vaccinated in the past, ask your doctor if you need a booster vaccine.
Keep Reading:
In-depth information on typhoid fever vaccines
Safe eating and drinking habits
Always practice safe eating and drinking habits during travel. Following these habits is important because:
- Typhoid vaccines are not 100% effective.
- Available vaccines do not protect against paratyphoid fever.
Safe eating and drinking habits also help protect you from other illnesses, including travelers' diarrhea, cholera, and hepatitis A.
Wash your hands
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom and before preparing food or eating.
- Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
Keep Reading:
When and how to wash your hands
Boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it
- Drink bottled water or boil water for at least 1 minute before using it.
- Bottled and canned carbonated water is safer than non-carbonated water.
- Bottled and canned carbonated water is safer than non-carbonated water.
- Avoid ice, popsicles, and flavored ices unless they are made from bottled or boiled water.
- Eat only well-cooked foods that are still hot and steaming.
- Avoid raw vegetables and fruits that can't be peeled.
- Lettuce and other greens can stay contaminated even if washed.
- Lettuce and other greens can stay contaminated even if washed.
- Avoid food and drinks from street vendors unless they are steaming hot.
- Drink pasteurized milk from a sealed bottle.
Keep Reading:
More tips on safe eating and drinking during travel