Mexico Archives - Blackburn Travel Clinic

Typhoid Vaccine

Waterside — Tue, 04 Jul 2023 06:13:56 +0000

Mexico

£30 (single dose)

Typhoid and paratyphoid are infections acquired by the ingestion of food or water contaminated by the bacteria Salmonella Typhi or Salmonella Paratyphi.

They cause very similar diseases collectively known as enteric fever and mainly affect low income areas of the world where sanitation is poor and clean drinking water is not widely available. The majority of global cases of disease occur in Asia, but the disease continues to be a concern in other areas including Africa and parts of Central and South America.

The majority of travel related infections in the UK occur in those visiting friends and relatives in countries of the Indian subcontinent (Bangladesh, India and Pakistan).

Symptoms of typhoid and paratyphoid include: fever, headache, muscle or joint pains, constipation or diarrhoea and a rash. Complications include intestinal bleeding and perforation (development of a hole in the wall of the bowel). If treated most people will make a full recovery however if untreated death rates can be high. Antibiotic resistant infections are increasingly common; this can complicate and reduce treatment options.

Prevention

The risk of acquiring typhoid or paratyphoid can be reduced by ensuring good personal hygiene and following advice on the prevention of food and water-borne diseases.

Typhoid vaccination

Vaccination is recommended for travellers whose planned activities put them at higher risk of typhoid infection in areas where sanitation and food hygiene are likely to be poor. Vaccinations currently available only protect against typhoid and not paratyphoid infection.

Both oral and injectable vaccines are available. Some vaccinations are combined with hepatitis A.

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Diphtheria, Tetanus & Polio Vaccine

Waterside — Tue, 04 Jul 2023 06:12:52 +0000

Mexico

£30 (single dose)

Diphtheria is a highly infectious bacterial infection that can affect the nose and throat (respiratory diphtheria), and sometimes the skin (cutaneous diphtheria).

Respiratory diphtheria is spread typically by coughing and sneezing and close contact with infected people. There is a safe and effective vaccine.

The bacterium can infect the nose and throat and release a toxin. The main symptoms are sore throat, difficulty and/or pain on swallowing, husky voice, fever, cough and headache. A grey/yellow membrane of dead tissue may develop over the tonsils and throat which can lead to airway obstruction and breathing difficulties. Lymph glands become swollen, prominent and tender, producing a ‘bull neck’. The toxin produced may affect other organs and it can be fatal.

In countries where hygiene is poor, cutaneous diphtheria is the main source of infection causing painful, non-healing skin ulcers which often become infected with other bacteria. Severe illness is unusual. This type of diphtheria is spread by contact with discharge from contagious skin lesions.

Diphtheria is still a risk for unvaccinated travellers to countries where the uptake of diphtheria containing vaccines is low.

Prevention

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent infection. Travellers should ensure they are up to date with their routine vaccines according to the NHS vaccination schedule.

Some types of diphtheria bacteria can spread from animals to humans. Travellers should be advised not to consume raw dairy products, to avoid close contact with cattle/farm animals and to follow good personal hygiene rules to minimise risk of infection.

Specific country diphtheria vaccine recommendations are not routinely provided on TravelHealthPro country pages.

Diphtheria vaccine

In the UK immunisation programme, a minimum of five diphtheria-containing vaccines should be offered, at appropriate intervals, to all individuals. The primary UK vaccination course consists of three doses of diphtheria-toxoid containing vaccine at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age. A first booster should be administered at around 3 years and 4 months and a second booster between 13 to 18 years of age.

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Hepatitis A Vaccine

Waterside — Tue, 04 Jul 2023 06:09:14 +0000

Mexico

£49 (single dose)

Hepatitis A is a highly infectious virus that can cause inflammation of the liver.

The virus is usually transmitted through food or water contaminated by human faeces or by direct contact with an infectious person. Hepatitis A is rare in the UK with most cases occurring in travellers who have recently visited countries where the disease is common.

Areas with high levels of infection include low-income countries that may have relatively poor sanitary conditions and hygiene practices. These areas include: the Indian subcontinent, Sub-Saharan and North Africa, parts of the Far East, South and Central America, and the Middle East.

Certain travellers are at increased risk of acquiring hepatitis A, including:

those who are staying with or visiting the local population
frequent and/or long-stay travellers to areas where sanitation and food hygiene are likely to be poor
those with existing medical conditions such as liver disease or haemophilia
men who have sex with men
people who inject drugs
those who may be exposed to the virus through their work
those going to areas of hepatitis A outbreaks who have limited access to safe water and medical care

Symptoms are often mild or absent in young children, but the disease becomes more serious with advancing age. Recovery can vary from weeks to months. Following hepatitis A illness, immunity is lifelong. Symptoms may include: fever, loss of appetite, jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), malaise and nausea.

Prevention

As the most common mode of infection in travellers is consumption of contaminated food or water. The risk of acquiring hepatitis A can be reduced by ensuring good personal hygiene and following advice on the prevention of food and water-borne diseases.

Hepatitis A vaccine

Several effective inactivated hepatitis A vaccines are available for travellers intending to visit areas where hepatitis A is common. Some of these vaccines are combined with either hepatitis B or typhoid.

Book your appointment

Kindly select your preferred clinic, appointment time and fill out the form.

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