Typhoid fever is a severe bacterial systemic infection caused by the Salmonella Typhi bacteria, which can be acquired from unclean water and contaminated or improperly cooked food. With symptoms including high fever, headache, stomach pain, diarrhoea or constipation, this disease can lead to serious complications and is estimated to be responsible for 110 000 deaths per year, mainly in the developing countries. The disease is found in Asia, Africa, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Oceania. Vaccination should be considered for those travelling to high risk areas and staying there for longer than a couple of weeks. The vaccine is not included in the National Vaccination Programme. The vaccine can be purchased by prescription from pharmacies and medical centres.

• Lääkeinfo.fi: Typhim Vi (in Finnish)
• Lääkeinfo.fi: Vivotif (in Finnish)
• THL, Traveller’s Health Guide: Typhoid fever (in Finnish)
• WHO, Fact sheet: Typhoid