Typhoid vaccination
Definition - what is the typhus vaccination?
The typhoid vaccination is a method that can protect against infection with the typhoid-causing salmonella. It is not recommended as a general vaccination in Germany, but is recommended when traveling to risk areas. There is a live vaccination, which is taken in the form of a capsule, and a dead vaccination, which is given into the muscle with a syringe. The typhoid vaccination does not offer an absolute guarantee, but it works effectively against the disease in many vaccinated people.
For this travel region you need a typhus vaccination
The typhoid vaccination is recommended for areas in which the spread of typhoid disease is particularly high. This includes above all countries in which hygienic measures are not carried out adequately. Typhoid is particularly common in Central and South America, but the Caribbean, Africa and Southeast Asia are also affected. Accordingly, a typhoid vaccination is recommended in these regions before traveling.
Is it a live or a deadly vaccine?
There is both a live and a dead vaccine for vaccination against typhoid fever.
The live vaccine is a combination of harmless and inactivated live pathogens and is taken as an oral vaccination.
The inactivated vaccine consists of killed pathogen particles and is administered intramuscularly, i.e. into the muscle, with a syringe.
Which vaccination is more suitable depends on various factors. For example, the oral vaccination, i.e. the live vaccine, is less effective for existing digestive complaints, as the tablet can then not be properly absorbed in the intestine.
How often do I need to be vaccinated?
The inactivated vaccine, which is given into the muscle with the help of a syringe, only needs a single vaccination. This offers vaccination protection for up to 3 years.
The live vaccine, which is absorbed into the body in the form of capsules, has to be taken several times. It is taken three times at an interval of 2 days, i.e. on days 1, 3 and 5. This creates a risk of possible errors in taking, which is why the vaccination schedule should be carefully observed. The live vaccine can also achieve vaccination protection for about 3 years.
When does the vaccination need to be refreshed?
The boost to the vaccination differs depending on the vaccine used. A booster every 3 years is recommended for the dead vaccine. This is again done as a single injection. The refresher should only be carried out if the indication persists, i.e. if there is still a sufficient reason for this.
With the live vaccination, i.e. the oral vaccination, on the other hand, a booster should take place after one year.
What does the typhus vaccination cost?
Typhoid vaccination costs are usually between 25 and 40 euros. However, this may vary depending on the location where the vaccination is given. Typhus vaccination is usually offered by institutes for travel and tropical medicine or institutes for hygiene at medical university clinics. Occasionally, resident travel doctors also offer the typhoid vaccination. A frequent combination of vaccination against typhoid and hepatitis A usually costs around 80 euros.
When traveling to a country that is, for example, in a different climate zone or on another continent, it is always useful to find out about any recommended vaccinations beforehand. The institutes for travel and tropical medicine also offer travel medical advice, the costs of which are usually around 10 euros. If anything is unclear, it is advisable not to save on these costs, as the risk of a potential infection may be greater than expected.
Costs - does the health insurance pay for that?
The typhus vaccination is one of the recommended vaccinations in Germany. However, not all travel vaccinations are always covered by every health insurance company. As a rule, the vaccination must first be paid for yourself and can be offset against the health insurance company afterwards. The costs of the typhus vaccination are covered by almost every health insurance company.
Occasionally, additional rules may apply, such as the health insurance company only reimbursing 70% of the costs. Only a few health insurance companies, such as the AOK Sachsen-Anhalt and the commercial health insurance, do not cover the costs of the typhoid vaccination.
What are the side effects of the typhoid vaccination?
The typhoid vaccination, like any other vaccination, can occasionally cause side effects. However, these are usually relatively weak and only very rarely lead to more serious complications. Side effects include changes at the injection site, such as redness, swelling, or pain. Headaches and a slight increase in body temperature can also occur. Some people feel exhausted for a few days after the typhoid vaccination and feel nausea or diarrhea.
Read more on the topic:
- Fever after vaccination in an adult
- Rash After Vaccination - What Causes It?
- Side effects from vaccinations in the baby
That is how painful the vaccination is
Occasionally, the typhoid vaccination may cause pain. They are located in the area of the puncture site and can cause the vaccinated person to have difficulty moving the vaccinated arm for a day or two. Furthermore, the typhoid vaccination can occasionally lead to abdominal pain, which can occur in connection with nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. However, these side effects are not very common and usually only last a few days.
Read more on the topic: The pain after a vaccination - you should be aware of this
When can I do sports again after the vaccination?
As a rule, there are no restrictions on sports after the typhoid vaccination. If pain occurs in the area of the injection site after the vaccination, this, especially muscle pain, can be aggravated by sporting activities. Excessive training should not be exercised on the day of the vaccination itself, but there is nothing wrong with moderate physical exertion.
Read more on the topic: Can you do sports after a vaccination?
