It is very important for the babies to get vaccinated. Vaccination is the best way to protect the babies from contagious diseases. Typhoid is one of the contagious diseases. By the end of this article you will come to know when to give Typhoid Vaccine for babies?
Though typhoid is rare in US, there are chances for your baby being affected by Typhoid when you travel abroad. Sometime Typhoid becomes serious and life threatening infection. People in the developing countries are at the risk of Typhoid due to poor sanitation and contaminated drinking water.
This article discusses the importance of Typhoid vaccine for babies. It covers the benefits and side effects of Typhoid vaccine for babies.
What is Typhoid Fever?
Typhoid fever is caused by the bacteria called Salmonella Paratyphi and can be spread through contaminated food and water. It results in the illness associated with the fever. Symptoms of Typhoid include high fevers, weakness, stomach pain, headache, and loss of appetite. Some people may experience nausea, constipation and rashes.
Your babies may get Typhoid fever when you travel to the developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. In US, most of the fever cases are found in the people who travelled recently.
Causes of Typhoid Fever in babies:
Typhoid is a dangerous disease and spreads infection in the organs. It tears holes in the intestine. The triggers of the Typhoid include:
Contaminated Food and water: The salmonella typhi bacteria live in the stools of the Typhoid infected person. This bacteria stay in the toilet after the infected person has been to the toilet. The infected person can contaminate the food by touching. Seafood from the contaminated water may lead to Typhoid.
Sewage: Sewage water hosts the salmonella typhi and may get into the water that you drink.
Why Typhoid Vaccine for Babies?
Typhoid vaccine helps protect your baby from the Typhoid fever. If Typhoid fever is not administered properly it may lead to prolonged high fevers with several other discomforts that may vary from people to people. If Typhoid is left untreated it may lead to serious problems like kidney failure or intestinal bleeding. Once the infections are spread to gall bladder they make the people a carrier of infections.
Typhoid vaccines are recommended under the following conditions:
- When you are planning to travel to the non industrialized parts of the world Asia, Africa, Central or South America where fever is common
- And When you live closer to Typhoid carriers
- Also When you stay in the rural areas or small towns for more than six weeks
- When you have to eat uncooked foods, unpeeled fruits and unbottled water
In 2017, WHO recommended a single dose of Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) for babies aged above 6 months.
Improved sanitation and hygiene food are the two most effective ways that help the developing countries to prevent contagious Typhoid fever. Typhoid conjugate vaccines are essential for the kids under the age of 2 years to keep them away from the contagious Typhoid fever while travelling across Typhoid endemic countries.
Types of Typhoid Vaccination:
There are two types of vaccines available and they vary in the route through which they are infused into the body. They are:
1. Oral Vaccine:
It is also known as Typhoid pills. It is made from the attenuated bacteria. These vaccines provide protection to the body against Typhoid for 5 years. This vaccine is recommended for the kids above 6 years. Ty21a, Vivotif TM, Berna, Crucell, Zerotyph caps, Boryung are some of the oral vaccines. This is the preferred mode of introducing Typhoid Fever Vaccine for babies.
2. Inactivated Typhoid Vaccine:
These vaccines are recommended for the kids above 2 years. One dose of this vaccine is recommended at least 2 weeks before the journey. The killed vaccine is more effective than the live one. Single dose may be enough to provide lifelong protection.
Typhoid Vaccine Schedule for Baby:
Typhoid vaccine schedules are included in the list of mandatory vaccinations suggested by the pediatrician.
● One dose of Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine is enough between the age of 9 to 12 months.
● Usually killed vaccine is given in the form of shots or injections. Typhoid shot is recommended for the kids above 2 years. It is advised to repeat the vaccine for every 3 years.
How Much Does Typhoid Vaccine Cost?
Typhoid oral vaccine is recommended for the babies above 6 months of age. Vivotif is one of the oral vaccine that costs around $95.05% off the average retail price of $101.96. Typhoid oral vaccine is used to protect your baby from the typhoid infection.
What are the Side Effects Of Typhoid Vaccination In Babies?
Emergency medical help is required if your baby comes across any side effects like difficulty in breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat are noticed.
Here are a few Typhoid vaccine side effects in babies:
- Nausea
- Some of the common symptoms after Typhoid vaccination include:Pain, tenderness, redness, or hard bump where the shot was given
- Head ache
- Low fever
- Nausea, diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Feeling sick
Typhim is an immunization used to prevent fever in adults and in children above the age of 2 years.Consult your doctor immediately if your child has come across the following symptoms after the Typhoid vaccine:
- Fever, swollen glands
- Body aches
- Rash or itching
Typhim is given at a dose of 0.5 ml in a single injection. This vaccine may interact with the blood thinners. There is a risk that other medicines may affect this vaccine. Speak to your doctor if you are using any other medicines to your kid or if your kid has received any other vaccines recently.
Most important things to know about the typhoid vaccine:
Here are a few things that you should know before vaccinating your baby:
- It is not recommended for the people with any previous allergic history of Typhoid vaccine
- It is not given to the persons who are currently Typhoid carrier
- Vaccine can be receive in the case of minor cold. If your child has fever or any other illness conditions, then the doctor will recommend you not to take the vaccine before everything goes well.
- Keep track of any side effects that you encounter in your kid after the vaccination is given.
- Booster dose will be given according to the type of vaccine and age. If you miss the booster dose, you need to protect yourself from the conditions causing Typhoid.
Things to do after getting Typhoid vaccine:
After taking the Typhoid vaccine follow the below precautions for the effective results:
- Should Avoid leafy vegetable which are always very harder to wash properly.
- Avoid eating raw fruits and vegetables that are not peeled or peeled by the other person.
- Also Avoid drinks containing ice as most of them are usually prepared by contaminated water..
- Also Avoid eating outside food which is not cooked by you.
- Should Drink the water that has been boiled for at least 1 minute
- Avoid junk food that is purchased from the street vendor.
Protect your baby from the contagious Typhoid by following proper vaccination schedule. Aware of the areas that are prone to Typhoid ahead of your travel and get proper vaccination for your baby.
Recommended:
- MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUT VACCINES
- PARENTS’ GUIDE TO KID’S VACCINES
- 11 USEFUL WAYS TO PREVENT DAYCARE SICKNESS IN KIDS
