Thailand

Tuesday, November 11th, 2008

Biggest Health Concerns in Thailand

The biggest health concerns seem to be dehydration and travelers diahhrea. I did know what lady that got dengue fever, but thats the rare case, plus there are vaccinations for that (if you remember to get them at least a month before hand. See the CDC website for more info. So, below I’ve posted some info on handling the traveler’s sickness in Thailand. Its actually rather easy:

• Stay hydrated. I know its obvious, but if you feel thirsty, you’re already in the early stages of dehydration. I make no exxaggeration when I say you will sweat like you are in a steam room anytime you are outside here. Its important to buy big and buy cheap. Buying water from tourist spots or vendors will get expensive (relatively). Find a 7-11 or other market and buy the six packaged liter bottles for about 80 baht (US$2.00).
• Buy electrolyte drinks from the pharmacy. Be sure to say electrolyte since they don’t understand American brands like “gatorade” and will stare at you blankly, lol. These packets are really really cheap – about 7 baht (US$0.20) each. There are special electrolyte packages if you have diahhrea, they are most effective at replacing the salts you loose. Tell the pharmacist and they should give you the correct stuff.
• If you get the traveler’s disease, the most effective way to deal with this is go to a pharmacy and ask for ciproflaxin or norflaxin, you need 400-500mg pills, take 3 a day after each meal, and get 400-600mg ibprophen pills if you have a fever. You should feel better within 2-3 days. You can also buy immodium if you think you need it, but don’t take more than 2 per 24 hours and not more than 2-3 days in a row. See the CDC for more specific info.
• Also, this post negates what I said before about needing to get antibiotics before coming over here. In fact, they are very easy to come buy without a prescription. Save yourself a trip to the doctor, do a little self-diagnosis, and buy cheap drugs. When I caught the bug, I did the following:
  • 3 days worth of 500mg supraflacin antiobiotc (9 pills)
  • 3 days worth of 600mg ibprohpen (9 pills)
  • 9 electrolyte packets
  • total cost: 200 baht (or about $6.50 US)
  • basic thermometer was 50 baht (under $2.00 US)
  • I was in bed for the first day because of the fever, but after that I could do most any activity.

Well, basically, if you catch this annoying disease, don’t let it destroy your trip or turn into anything worse. Go to the pharmacy, get the meds, and be back on you feet in less than 48 hours.