Typhoid fever is a potentially life-threatening infection caused by a bacterium called Salmonella typhi. Though this infection is rare within the United States, people who travel to countries that lack water and waste management systems should receive a typhoid vaccine. The typhoid vaccine can be administered orally or by injection and helps protect recipients against infection. Patients should discuss the symptoms and side effects associated with a typhoid vaccine with their doctors prior to immunization.
Injection Site Reaction
Patients who receive the typhoid vaccine as an injection can develop a skin reaction at the injection site. Approximately 7 percent of patients develop swelling or redness at the injection site following vaccination, according to medical experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These symptoms associated with a typhoid vaccine can be uncomfortable but typically subside within a few days of vaccination. Patients who develop persistent or severe swelling or pain at the injection site should seek medical care immediately.
Flulike Symptoms
The oral and injectable typhoid vaccine can cause flulike symptoms in treated patients. These flulike side effects can include malaise, headache, muscle pain or fever, explains Drugs.com, a peer-reviewed drug information website. These uncomfortable typhoid vaccine symptoms are typically temporary and can be mitigated through the use of an over-the-counter pain medication, such as acetaminophen.
Stomach Upset
After taking the oral typhoid vaccine, certain patients can develop upset stomach symptoms. These stomach symptoms are typically rare, but they can include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain or diarrhea, which can contribute to a temporary decrease in appetite. Diarrhea symptoms associated with the oral typhoid vaccine can be accompanied by stomach cramping or bloating. Eating a small snack or meal before taking the oral typhoid vaccine can help limit the development of these stomach upset symptoms in treated patients.
