Q:

This question is for Dr. Margaret Mamolen, the travel doctor. I took 3 of my typhoid fever pills...however I forgot to take the 4th. It has been two weeks and I took it out of the refrigerator a few days ago when I was clearing out the fridge. Do I need another set of pills or can I come in to get the shot? I prefer to get the shot since remembering to take a pill every-other day is hard to remember. Please write me back asap so I can make an appointment to come in. Thank you.

 

A:

The recommendation would be to take a new course of four pills for maximum protection. Apparently, there have not been studies done on the effects of getting injectable typhoid vaccine after an incomplete course of oral typhoid vaccine. Could you set your cell phone calendar to remind yourself to take the pills every other day?  Some students have found this to be helpful.

You can call 650-3400 to make an appointment with Teresa Bodensteiner, RN to get the typhoid vaccine. Feel free to email me directly at Margaret.Mamolen@wwu.edu if you have further questions.

~The Doc