Typhoid Fever Protection

Typhoid Fever is a serious problem!

Typhoid fever is caused by the Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi bacteria. People become infected by eating or drinking the bacteria in contaminated food or water.

Symptoms of typhoid fever include a persistent high fever of between 39 to 40 degrees Celcius that lasts between 4 to 8 weeks. Infected individuals also suffer from shivering, severe headaches, loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue and feeling uncomfortable, general weakness, constipation (adults), diarrhea (children), spasms (children), abdominal pain, swelling, vomiting, muscular pain, red spots appearing on the abdomen and chest.

A patient may experience bleeding in the intestines, which may be ruptured. Typhoid infection can also spread to the heart and damage brain functions leading to death if not treated. Recovery is slow and may take up to a few weeks.

Around 200, 000 people around the world die every year due to typhoid fever. According to the Ministry of Health, there were 434 cases of typhoid food poisoning in Malaysia last year. In order to avoid any suffering from typhoid poisoning, it’s important to make sure that you have been vaccinated.

Who is at risk?

● Children in the daycare centres
● Students, especially those at the boarding schools and at the National Service camps
● Tourists
● People who like to dine out (especially those frequenting food-stalls without proper hygiene)
● All food hawkers, cooks, kitchen hands, food handlers, workers in the food production departments, army personnel and medical personnel

Are YOU a potential carrier?

About 3% to 5% of people become carriers after the acute illness. Others can suffer from a very mild form of typhoid fever which turns them into long term carriers even though they have no symptoms.

Anyone who works in the F&B industry could be a potential carrier for Typhoid Fever, which is why the government passed the Food Act 1983 and Food Hygiene Regulations 2009. These Acts punish any F&B handler who has not been trained or received a medical certificate confirming that they’ve received a typhoid vaccination every three years.

Anyone who works in an F&B outlet or otherwise handles food without the proper certificates can receive a fine of not more than RM 10,000 or a sentence of no more than 2 years.

Don’t wait any longer!

If you are a cook or food handler who hasn’t received a typhoid vaccination, then you are a hidden killer. Not only have you endangered your own life, but you have also threatened the lives of your customers, co-workers, and even your family members who dine with you.

Make sure to receive an effective typhoid vaccination once every three years in order to keep yourself protected. Consult your doctor and receive your vaccines today!

A pain free solution

You can opt for an oral typhoid vaccine – this pain free vaccine is based on a 1, 3, and 5 day schedule and provides you with more than 3 years’ worth of protection against typhoid infections.

For more information, call 016-3310641 or contact PROPHARM (M) SDN BHD today.