Category:

Thailand Health issues

Before You Go - consider the areas of Thailand you will be visiting and check for recent health alerts. The U.S. Center for Disease Control has an excellent site and the BBC site is another good resource. 

Water - is not usually a problem in Thailand. Bottled water is cheap and available almost everywhere. Because Thailand's climate  is tropical to sub-tropical and therefoer it can be extremely humid. Proper hydration is extremely important.

Heat & Sun - are important considerations in Thailand. Drink more water than you think you need and don't over exert. Take the sun gradually for the first several days. Wear a cap, hat and/or consider using sun screens and avoiding exposure in the early afternoons.

Food - Thai food is one of the rewards of a visit to Thailand. In restaurants and stalls frequented by Thais, it will be cheap, fresh and tasty. Common sense is the key. If something smells spoiled, don't eat it. Avoid undercooked meats. One other warning might be the seasoning. While some Thai food is quite mild, other dishes can be very spicy. While ordering your meal ask for "mai pet", which means "not so spicy."

Hygiene - will be important for two reasons. First, Thailand is hot and in the dry season can be dusty. You won't perspire, you will sweat. Bacteria will will grow faster and and fungus infections are always an issue. Second, you will smell bad.

The Thai are fastidious people. You will seldom see a dirty Thai unless they are engaged in hot dirty work. As soon as practical they will bathe and change clothes. They Bathe several times each day. Make your first stop after a tour or trek the shower. Then when you sit down for that cool drink, the Thais and your fellow travelers will appreciate your presence much more.

Toilets - especially up country, may be the squat type (french toilet). And there will seldom be toilet paper available, even in some of the sit-down stalls. Toilet paper is available in most markets, so carrying your own is advisable.

Health Care

Health insurance is recommended. Medical facilities are good in main centres. All major hotels have doctors on call. Medical care is relatively cheap for westerners. Many people travel to Thailand for surgery and complex dental procedures.

 Widespread Diseases in Thailand & Southeast Asia
All but the most remote areas of Thailand have competent medical care available in clinics and hospitals. Some areas have world class hospitals rivalling luxury hotels.

Vaccinations Rcommended for Thailand

Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG)
Hepatitis B, if you might be exposed to blood (for example, health care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, stay longer than 6 months in the region, or be exposed through medical treatment
Japanese encephalitis if you plan to visit rural areas for 4 weeks or more, except under special circumstances, such as a known outbreak of Japanese encephalitis
Rabies, if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation
Typhoid because of the presence of S. typhi strains resistant to multiple antibiotics in this region
Tetanus-diphtheria and measles booster and a one-time dose of polio for adults.
Mosquito borne widespread diseases to Thailand and Southeast Asia.

Malaria is more of a danger in the areas bordering Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar
Dengue and Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever are endemic throughout the region
Japanese Encephalitis is hyper-endemic with annual outbreaks in the Chiangmai Valley and sporadic outbreaks in the South
Avoiding mosquito bites by sleeping under insect netting and using effective repellent is an excellent first step in avoiding mosquito borne diseases.

Repellents such as those containing Permethrin (such as Permanone) are recommended for use on clothing, shoes, bed nets, and camping gear. Permethrin is highly effective as an insecticide and acaricide and as a repellent. Permethrin-treated clothing repels and kills ticks, mosquitoes, and other arthropods, and retains this effect after repeated laundering. Skin contact repellents containing DEET (diethylmethyltoluamide), in 30% - 35% strength for adults and 6% to 10% for children are also reccommended.

Contact your physician several weeks in advance of your travel for advice on prescription anti-malarial drugs such as Mefloquine, Doxycycline, Malarone, Chloroquine, or Hydroxychloroquine sulfate.

Other widespread diseases in Thailand

Cholera
Tuberculosis
Pertussis
Diseases carried in food or water

Cholera
Escherichia coli diarrhea
Hepatitis A
Schistosomiasis
Typhoid fever

Diseases from personal contact

Hepatitis B
HIV/AIDS
 

Other Health Risks

Because of the large Sex industry, HIV is widespread in Thailand, especially among prostitutes and “working girls” in Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket and Chiang Mai. Using condoms when you have casual sex is a must! People Amoebic and bacillary dysentery and hepatitis E may occur. Hepatitis B is highly endemic. Japanese encephalitis may occur, particularly in rural areas and precautions should be taken to guard against mosquito bites due to the risk of this disease and also dengue fever. Travellers to Thailand are unlikely to be affected by avian influenza, but should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where they may come into close contact with wild or caged birds; and ensure poultry dishes are thoroughly cooked.