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}Health Guide for travelers to Thailand
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Sexually
transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS  Urethritis remains the most common treatable sexually transmitted disease (STD) among tourists
to Asia. Gonorrhea from Southeast Asia is frequently multi-drug resistant. While syphilis become less common, HIV/AIDS is
spreading at worrisome speeds in most Asian countries, resulting mostly from unprotected sexual contacts. Promiscuous sex
anywhere can be dangerous. For travelers, local sex workers, either of explicit or concealed types, are potential sources of
STDs and HIV/Aids. All casual sex should be avoided or strictly protected with the use of condoms.
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Malaria Bangkok
and most provinces in the central region as well as major tourist resorts such as Chiangmai, Phuket, Hua-Hin and Koh Samui
have been free from malaria for decades. Now all cities in Thailand are malaria free.
However, tourist destinations in rural neighborhoods, especially those in the mountainous and border areas are still at
certain risks. Chloroquine and most other chemo prophylactic drugs have proved to be ineffective against falciparum malaria in
Thailand. Tourists visiting these endemic areas are rather recommended to take general precautions against mosquito bite.
After sunset, they should stay in screened quarters or mosquito nets, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, and may apply
mosquito repellents. Those who develop fever within two weeks of entry to risk areas should seek prompt medical examination
and treatment.
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Dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever These diseases are endemic in Southeast
Asia. They are caused by dengue virus from the bite of aedes mosquito that lives in the
houses and their neighborhood. This mosquito bites during the day time- Dengue infection in local people, mostly children,
often results in fever with bleeding in the skin and other organs (dengue hemorrhagic fever) which is sometime fatal; but for
travelers from non-endemic areas, the infection usually manifests as fever with rash in the skin, severe headache and muscle
and pains (dengue fever), which is usually non-fatal.Dengue infection is common in the rainy season (approximately May to September in Thailand) when aedes mosquito is abundant. Travelers visiting local households or their vicinity, especially in the rainy season, should be using mosquito repellent even in the day time. Ones who are ill with symptoms suspected of dengue infection should seek medical consultation to establish the cause of the illness.
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Rabies Rabies can be found mainly in dogs .
Although Thailand has been working toward elimination of the disease and the situation has been much
improved, travelers are recommended to take prevention if their travel itineraries allow possible
exposure to animal bites. Those who plan walking sight-seeing in local communities should consider having pre-exposure rabies
vaccination before starting off. Three intramuscularly injections of cell-culture rabies vaccine are required. In case of
exposure to animals without prior vaccination, the pose-exposure vaccination is usually effective if it is initiated without
delay. However, for those who have had pre-exposure vaccination, if they are bitten, they should also seek prompt consultation
with the physician for evaluation and consideration for booster vaccination.
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Japanese
encephalitis This viral infection of the brain, is contracted through the bite of mosquitoes that prevail in
rural agricultural areas. It is found in many Eastern and Southeastern Asian countries,
primarily in the rural and suburban areas. Similar to malaria, the disease can be prevented by avoiding mosquito bite during
the night time- Travelers who plan to spend their time exposing to rural environment in these regions for over several months
are recommended to take Japanese encephalitis vaccination before entry.
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Typhoid fever Typhoid fever has become uncommon among Thai people. However, travelers should not neglect
taking prevention against this food and water borne disease. Precaution measures for diarrhea, as mentioned later, are
effective for typhoid as well. It is also recommended that the travelers receive typhoid vaccination, in injectable or oral
form, before start of the journey. However, those who need initiation or booster vaccination can find the service at most
hospitals and clinics in Thailand, Diarrhea is mostly caused by ingestion of food and drinks
contaminated with bacteria or viruses. To prevent diarrhea, avoid uncooked food and drink only boiled or bottled or carbonated
water. Food served at street vendors should be considered at risk. Fresh vegetables and fruits should be adequately washed
with clean water. Fresh salad should be taken only from a salad bar or a restaurant of hygienic standard. Tap water in many
Southeast Asian cities is claimed to be safe for drinking, but it is still advisable to stick to safety precautions. Danger
from diarrhea primarily is the result of the loss of water and electrolytes from the body. If you happen to have diarrhea
during your travel, the most helpful remedy is drinking electrolyte solution to replace the loss. Therefore, it is always
useful to keep some electrolyte solution packets in your first-aid kit. If your diarrhea gets worse or does not improve within
12-24 hours, consult the physicians for proper investigation and treatment.
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» Viral hepatitis
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If you are ill during your stay in Thailand, consult the
physician at any: • community hospital, • provincial hospital, • medical center, or • private hospital or clinic.
» For more information, please contact: |
Welcome to Thailand. Every year,
more than 5 million tourists visit this country as one of their travel
destinations. Many arrive with insufficient health advice which often
results in bouts of illnesses that spoil a good part of their journey.
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