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You can get typhoid fever by drinking unclean water, or eating food that has not been cooked thoroughly or washed with clean water.
Typhoid is found in parts of Asia, Africa, and Central and South America.
In the UK, most people who get it have recently travelled to:
You can get health advice for a country you're travelling to on the TravelHealthPro website
Good hygiene can help stop you catching or spreading typhoid fever if you're travelling to an area where there is a risk of getting it.
regularly wash your hands with soap and warm water, especially after using the toilet, and before preparing food or eating food
use sanitiser gel if soap and clean water are not available to wash your hands
use bottled water or cooled boiled water to brush your teeth
drink bottled drinks and cans, or drinks made with boiled water
eat food that has been recently and thoroughly cooked, and is served hot
do not have ice in your drinks
do not eat raw or lightly cooked meat or seafood
do not eat salads or uncooked fruit and vegetables that you have not washed or peeled yourself
do not have dairy products – like milk, cheese, yoghurt or ice cream – made from unpasteurised milk
do not eat food that has been left uncovered
do not prepare or serve food for other people if you have or think you may have typhoid fever
A vaccine for typhoid fever is available for free on the NHS.
It's usually recommended for anyone over 1 year old when travelling to an area where there is a high risk of catching typhoid.
Check advice for where you're going and try to see a GP 6 to 8 weeks before travelling.
The vaccine lasts for 3 years and comes as either an injection or tablets.
There's still a chance of getting typhoid if you've been vaccinated, so it's important to practise good hygiene when you're travelling.
Symptoms of typhoid fever usually begin within 3 weeks of being infected but sometimes can take up to 6 weeks.
Symptoms of typhoid include:
Tummy ache and diarrhoea are also common, but these usually happen after the other symptoms.
Some people also get a rash of light-pink spots, usually on the upper body. This can be hard to see on black or brown skin.
If typhoid fever is not treated, it can lead to serious problems like internal bleeding or an infection in the lining of the tummy (peritonitis).
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.
Tell anyone you speak to about your recent travel.
If you're still abroad, get medical help where you are as soon as possible. Do not wait until you get back to the UK.
Do not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
Bring any medicines you take with you.
If there's chance you could have typhoid fever, your blood, poo and pee will be tested to check for it.
You may need to go to hospital to have these tests.
Typhoid fever is treated with antibiotics. You may also be given medicine to lower your temperature.
You should start to feel better but may continue to have a high temperature for around 5 days after starting treatment.
It's important to finish all the antibiotics you're given even if you feel better.
You may have to stay off work until tests of your poo show you no longer have typhoid fever if you work in certain jobs, such as with food, in healthcare or with young children.
Children under 5 may also need to stay off school or nursery until tests show they are not infected.
Most people who are treated make a full recovery from typhoid fever with no other problems.
Sometimes your symptoms can come back (relapse). This usually happens within 2 weeks of finishing treatment, but it can be at any time.
If your symptoms come back, you will need further treatment.
A small number of people become carriers. This is when you recover from typhoid but can still spread it to other people for months or years after.
