Typhoid Cases on the Rise in India

Expert urges the need for campaigns to raise awareness about typhoid fever, its risks and vaccination, to decrease the disease burden.

In India, with cases of typhoid fever are on an uphill, doctors are urging children and those with compromised immune systems, to prioritize getting the typhoid vaccine.

Pediatrician Dr. Nyay Gupta said, “Typhoid causes high fever, headache, weakness, discomfort, cough, fatigue and constipation. Children are more prone to it.

Typhoid in India

Severe cases can lead to intestinal bleeding, bowel perforation and meningitis that can be fatal. Urgent vaccination and prevention are essential, especially in the rainy season.”He said there are two safe and effective typhoid vaccines: a conjugated vaccine (TCV) and a non-conjugated polysaccharide vaccine (ViCPS) (). The TCV vaccine is recommended for infants, children (6 months and older), and adults up to 45 years.It provides nearly 90 per cent protection and requires only one shot. The polysaccharide vaccine needs to be taken again every three years.

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Typhoid is a bacterial infection affecting the gastrointestinal tract including several the liver, spleen and muscles. Following a proper diet is an important part of the healing process.

‘In India, despite the rising typhoid cases, there is low awareness of typhoid immunization. #typhoid’

A wholesale vaccine supplier in Lucknow, said ViCPS are available at Rs 200 per dose and TCV at Rs 2,000 per dose.Prof Kauser Usman of KGMU said, “About 7-8 typhoid patients visit the OPD daily and the numbers are expected to increase. Besides vaccination, one should drink clean water and avoid contaminated food.”

Prof Nishant Verma of KGMU’s pediatrics department said although the Indian government does not include typhoid vaccination in its mandatory immunization programme, the Indian Pediatrician Society recommends prioritizing children due to their developing immune systems.Dr Himanshu Chaturvedi of Balrampur hospital emphasized the importance of vaccination for individuals with compromised immune systems, such as cancer patients, transplant recipients and those with autoimmune disorders, to protect against severe complications.

Reference:

Typhoid Conjugate Vaccines: Advancing the Research and Public Health Agendas - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8687070/)

Source-IANS

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