37 replies to this topic

[cielazul]

it is astonishing how many folks here in Ajijic are battling typhoid!
IMHO, everyone should become knowledgable about this disease pronto.
get the vaccine at LCS health days or from your NOB doctoor before you come down!
The recovery is slow, the symptoms persistent, the solution is clear.
Cielo

[simpsca]

I asked several lakeside doctors if it is a good idea to get a thypoid vaccine and was told no - there are too many strains here. I don't know what to believe. That was several years ago that I asked. At the time I had the first treatment in the US and was told I would need a second treatment here. When I arrived - 13 years ago there was none available so if anyone knows a knowlegable doctor on this subject or which vaccine to receive please post. I understand there are several types of vaccine.

[Ferret]

This is hysterical posting at its worst.
Typhoid is a SPECIFIC disease caused by a SPECIFIC bacteria named Salmonella typhi.
There are over 2500 (two thousand five hundred) different types of Salmonella that cause varying degrees of food poisoning.
Or the food poisoning could be caused by another totally different species of bacteria or even a virus.

I believe you meant to say that there are a lot of people suffering from diarrhoea and tummy upsets and that the cause is unknown.

[cielazul]

Not hysterically funny or hysterically outrageous at all. I know several people who have been diagnost via blood test. yes, it is salmonella, yes there are many strains and yes, a vaccine is readily available.
WHO (World Health Organization) recommends vaccination at five year intervals for people in affected areas.
geesh!! If I see a problem that others may not be aware of I think it is considerate and prudent to let them know!!
Just check with your doctor about what vaccinations are recommended for international travel.

Don't shoot the messenger for heavens sake!

[bmh]

My husband and my neighbor both had typhoid here a few years ago. We got vaccinated but it does not protect you from other strains , you still can get sick from a lot of diiferent strains and we did.

[RVGRINGO]

Ask a couple of good physicians, or epidemiologists before spreading unfounded medical rumors, please.
Of course, that goes for other rumors, like this week's rumors about Michoacan; nothing but a teacher's strike.

[the walkers]

Not hysterically funny or hysterically outrageous at all. I know several people who have been diagnost via blood test. yes, it is salmonella, yes there are many strains and yes, a vaccine is readily available.
WHO (World Health Organization) recommends vaccination at five year intervals for people in affected areas.
geesh!! If I see a problem that others may not be aware of I think it is considerate and prudent to let them know!!
Just check with your doctor about what vaccinations are recommended for international travel.

Don't shoot the messenger for heavens sake!

vaccination is one of the biggest hoaxs to hit medicine. if you believe in them and want to sound the alarm be prepared for a reaction. we were fooled for a long time until we did a little research on our own. at the time of pasteur there was another great scientist who had a different idea about medicine and the immune system,but it wasn't as favorable to the interests of the moneymen,so...if you want some good reads on the subject, google up "spanish flu 1918 vaccine reaction" which will show the cover-up of vaccine that created the panedemic and also "polio vaccine dangers" which will show that the only new cases of polio are caused by th shot itself...

[Ginger]

I remember the polio scare so all vaccines shouldn't be lumped together.

[lakeheron]

Information on typhoid vaccines:

Routine typhoid vaccination is not recommended in the United States, but typhoid vaccine is recommended for:

• 
  Travelers to parts of the world where typhoid is common. (NOTE: typhoid vaccine is not 100% effective and is not a substitute for being careful about what you eat or drink.)
  
• 
  People in close contact with a typhoid carrier.
  
• 
  Laboratory workers who work with Salmonella Typhi bacteria.

Inactivated Typhoid Vaccine (Shot)

• 
  Should not be given to children younger than 2 years of age.
  
• 
  One dose provides protection. It should be given at least 2 weeks before travel to allow the vaccine time to work.
  
• 
  A booster dose is needed every 2 years for people who remain at risk.

Live Typhoid Vaccine (Oral)

• 
  Should not be given to children younger than 6 years of age.
  
• 
  Four doses, each dose given 2 days apart, are needed for protection. The last dose should be given at least 1 week before travel to allow the vaccine time to work.
  
• 
  A booster dose is needed every 5 years for people who remain at risk.

Either vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines.

[cielazul]

In what way, shape or form is this a medical rumor?
You have got to be kidding me!!

[Malaya]

This is hysterical posting at its worst.

As I sit here waiting for my blood tests to come back I don't find this hysterical at all.

After feeling off for 2 months I finally decided something's wrong and went to the doctor who immediately suspected Typhoid, Hep A or Hep B.

This is not normally typhoid season but I guess Monday will tell. I'm just hoping to feel better as this has been really miserable.

[guss]

“If I see a problem that others may not be aware of I think it is considerate and prudent to let them know!!”

Thank you Cielazula,

Your post was both considerate and prudent. For healthy persons this may not be as pertinent an issue but for very young children it could prove deadly, as well as for anyone with compromised health. I am fairly healthy but have to be mindful of my health due to a heart condition. Again, thank you for posting this.

G

[Ferret]

The Widal Blood Test for Salmonella typhi antigens is over 100 years old and is subject to both false positive and false negative results. A single test, in and of itself, is NOT conclusive. There should be a four fold increase in titre between the first and third week.
From this website http://www.searo.who...ion482_1794.htm

The situations which give rise to false positive and false negative Widal test are :

False positives

Immunization with typhoid vaccine

Repeated subclinical infection
Past clinical infection
Healthy carriers of S.typhi
Anamnestic response
Patients of cirrhosis and hepatitis

False negatives

Too early collection of blood sample

Patients on antibiotics
5-10% patients do not respond by antibody formation
Immunosuppressed patients

In view of the various factors influencing the results of Widal test giving rise to false positive and false negative results, it is better not to rely too much on the Widal test. Every attempt must be made to culture the organisms from clinical specimens.

Please note that the bolding and underlining is mine.

I am very sorry that there are people who are feeling very ill and sincerely hope that they are on the mend soon.

I am also sorry that I stand by my original comment. If it is not a definitive diagnosis by culture then to say it is Typhoid fever is irresponsible and alarmist.

Be safe.

[RVGRINGO]

Thank you Ferret.
I think some folks simply like to visit doctors & there are doctors who will gladly tell them what they want to hear, or find a reason for treatment and/or more visits. OK, I just don't think this, I know it, but I also know that it won't change the practice.

[cielazul]

Oh please.
The need to know it all is often really just knowing enough to be dangerous.
A speedy recovery to those whose serum cultures came back positive.

[lakeheron]

When in doubt see an infectologist because they understand what tests are needed, if any, and how to treat. There are two very good infectologists in Guad, Dr. Lucio Martin del Campo and Dr. de la Cabada (forget his first name). Because of my husband's immunodeficiency disorder we have had occasion to use them for his bouts of intestinal infection. What they have told us is that it is very difficult to find the cause of a given diarrhea and they begin by treating the "usual" suspects when diarrhea doesn't resolve on its own. Only when that fails do they then do the frequent cultures until the "germ" is found. It can take round after round of cultures. And we have also learned that those with diverticulosis are much more prone to inflammation and infection and need to be watched and treated carefully.

[Ferret]

Oh please.
The need to know it all is often really just knowing enough to be dangerous.
A speedy recovery to those whose serum cultures came back positive.

The serum (blood) test is called a serology test. The cultures would be done on a stool sample.
BTW, I am a retired Registered Medical Laboratory Technologist and worked in both Microbiology and Chemistry for many years. I still have all my Diplomas and letters of reference.

[JayBearII]

We get our vaccines, typhoid and Hep A & B. Can't hurt, might help. I need all the help I can get. I don't have a strong immune system (not for any reason, it's just me) and I got not only amoebas several times when I was first here, I also got Paratyphoid B, I think from foolishly eating undercooked oyesters (don't ask, it was in GDL, On the other hand, I do not get flu shots. Some innoculations are more effective than others IMO.

[Wait. What?]

I had typhoid last year and it knocked me down from March to September. I think I had carried it around since Oct or Nov before I finally succumbed. It's a nasty and relentless foe, so take every care possible.

[Studio del Sol]

Thank you Ferret.