|
|
| *Travel Tips>>>Thailand Travel Tips |
Thailand Health? |
Travel Info Hi folks, Everybody has been very helpful in answering my thoughts about my upcoming extended vacation to Thailand. Thanks so much and thanks in advance if anyone can help me with this. This question is about vaccinations and medicine. Specficially I am curious about malaria. I am a healthy American male between 20 and 30 and want to know exactly how I should approach the malaria issue and any additional concerns that I might have neglected. Travel Tips personally I wouldn't worry about it, I been here for some time now and never had any problems. But if you are concern see your doctors. Others The risk of malaria in Thailand is relatively low, there is a greater risk near the northern border with Burma/Myanmar but still a low risk. I would guess that there is no risk in Bangkok and virtually no risk in coastal areas. Medical facilities in cities and large towns are pretty good so diagnosis and treatment is probably more efficient than in most nearby countries I would say that anti-malarial medication is unnecessary, mosquito repellent is the way to go - buy it locally and use it liberally. Locally purchased repellents seem to be more effective than ones brought with you and also tend to have a less offensive smell! I usually give my guests a bottle of Johnson's baby anti-mosquito clear lotion (see-through green bottle) and another lotion which I don't know the name of (!!) but is available in 7-11 shops here and comes in a small white bottle with a pink lid and an obvious illustration on the front! My personal theory is that ginger, garlic and chili seasoned local food also help keep the little critters away from you - I'm not sure if this can be given any scientific support! Don't let paranoia ruin your enjoyment of Thailand but do be sensible in your behaviour and health care. Keep high standards of personal hygiene, choose to eat in places that are obviously popular and clean and, with specific reference to malaria/mosquitoes, cover up and apply repellent if you are in the jungle and at dusk if the mozzie population is apparent. I live in Chiang Mai and would recommend Chiang Mai Ram hospital as the best hospital in town for westerners and Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok but I do not know where you are travelling to. Enjoy you stay here - it's a wonderful country that has had more than it's fair share of troubles lately, the people deserve all the support that they can get. - British expat living in Thailand for over 7 years. - http://www.cdc.gov/travel/regionalmalari... - http://www.thailandguru.com/health-mosqu... Concern about Malaria , depends on where you intend to go in Thailand . For the most part , there is little risk of Malaria in Thailand . If you come in the rainy season , now , perhaps a fraction more . If you are very susceptible to Mosquito bites ; some people are , more than others , take precaution before you come . There are very good sprays and creams that deter them , which you can buy at the pharmacy , or medicines . Islands of Koh Chang and Koh Sammet on the East Coast are beautiful , forested and have mosquitos . If you are planning to explore the forests on the Thai/ Burma boarder , the risk of contracting Malaria is High . A young Englishman died of Malaria contracted there . He had taken the regular medicines/ vaccination from home ; but these are totally ineffective against those mosquitos . If you want to explore forest and jungle ; you must wait till you reach Thailand ; where I would recommend you seek help at a hospital . Usually some nurses and assistants speak a little English , nearly all Doctors do . There is a medicine here which is adapted to protect against severe Malaria which you may not find at home . My daughter bicycled 2000 miles across Africa , drinking only Indian Tonic Water , which has quinine in it . I have been living in N/E Thailand for three years , have also holidayed at Koh Samui and Krabi and have not taken any precaution , or been troubled by mosquitos . Most rural comunities fumigate all their villages . I hope this will help and give you some reassurance . Look at an ex-pat. website www.thaivisa.com ; which also has a section on health . You can post notices , ask question and receive an informed reply ; there are many topics of interest discussed . Buy a copy of The Lonely Planet Thailand , an excellent guide to all areas and gives health guidance , including Malaria . Personal Experience Malaria has been eradicated in Thailand -http://www.who.int - the website of the World Health Organization. Unless you will travel to countries neighboring Thailand such as Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos or Vietnam, where rare outbreaks of Malaria do occur, you need not worry about contracting that disease while on holiday. Thailand has an excellent and advanced healthcare system that generally meets western standards. But what you do need to worry about is Avian Influenza or Bird Flu. In recent years, Thailand has witnessed several outbreaks- small and large- of Bird Flu and the disease has claimed several lives in the kingdom. Check the above website for details such as areas where these outbreaks occured in Thailand. Ask your physician about Bird Flu, its prevention and cure. As a precaution, you may carry Tamiflu- the only medicine known to kill the H5N1 virus and its mutants that cause Bird Flu. Tamiflu doesnt offer innoculation or prevention of Bird Flu. It is effective only if you take the medicine after you are infected. travel writer |
| Tags |
| Maldives Nepal Philippines Singapore Taiwan Thailand Vietnam General - Asia Pacific Buenos Aires General - Argentina Air Travel |
Travel Info Categories--Copyright/IP Policy--Contact Webmaster |