Malaria Treatment FAQ:
I’ve been to Thailand many times but didn’t even bother with this.
Now that I have a child I’m far more concerned. It would be a lot cheaper to continue my studies in Bangkok than in the US.
I’ve been to Thailand many times but didn’t even bother with this.
Now that I have a child I’m far more concerned. It would be a lot cheaper to continue my studies in Bangkok than in the US.
Any advice?
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
There are NO worries unless you go to extreme rural/jungle places. When everybody (and bad reports in international newspapers) where on about the chicken flue/disease I kept on eating them and am still alive after 7 years.
As long as your not trekking throught the jungle you should be ok.
Actually there have been dozens of reported cases of Dengue here in Bangkok this year, and a few deaths as well, and over 23,000 cases reported nationwide with 21 deaths. The likelihood of you or your child contracting Dengue or Malaria is slim, and as others have said more probable in jungle and rural areas. But it never hurts to take precautions, such as limiting outdoor activity during dawn and dusk and wearing proper clothing where mosquitoes are prevalent, use insect repellent repellent when you feel necessary, etc., and see a doctor immediately if you have any adverse symptoms from a mosquito bite. It’s not something you need to be overly concerned with, but something you should definitely be aware of.
Yes both are present but your chances are extremely remote of catching either. I’m over there all the time and upcountry on every trip. Unless you’re hanging out in polluted swamps for some reason you’ll be fine. Also I understand that more western people get sick from the malaria prevention drugs than actually get malaria in Thailand. Even if you come in contact the Thai medical peopel that you would see are quite good and treatment won’t be a problem but the chances of catching anything are rarer than your odds at winning the Thai lottery…
There are occassional infections even in the cities but this is extremely rare. In fact there are the same occassional outbreaks in the US of Malaria, not Dengue.
As long as there are mosquitoes, the threat do exist Take the necessary precautions when you are in Thailand.
Have insect screens on doors and windows, use mosquito nets over beds, light mosquito coils or use the electrical heater pad type, and spray indoor with insecticide once a week. And watch out for mossie bites and falling sick. See a doc for more detailed checks if you find treatment for flu-like symptoms not recovering after a week of treatment..
Oh yeah, check that you do not have standing water around the house that can be breeding ground for the mossies.
Dengue is possible even in Bangkok, but malaria is not. The link to Mahidol University’s Hospital for Tropical Diseases where you can find FAQs re malaria and info on dengue.
Check with your embassy for the latest health news/warnings.
Dengue is absolutely possible! I got it in January. The good news is that by using mosquito repellent there shouldn’t be a problem. I didn’t use it and I have learned my lesson!
I have mosquito screens and they work well but the problem is you can’t stay inside all of the time. Use repellent!!!
Malaria isn’t really an issue unless you are trekking.
Good Luck with your studies.
Yes, possible.
The geographic distribution of malaria within large regions (sub-continents) is complex. Malaria and malaria-free areas are often found close to each other.
However, Malaria is more common in rural areas than in cities. whereas dengue fever present the greater risk in urban areas. For example, the cities of Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia are essentially malaria-free, but the disease is present in many rural regions. By contrast, in Africa malaria is present in both rural and urban areas, though the risk is lower in the larger cities.
To minimize risk, and children below the age of 6 are at most serious risk, let your child sleep under mosquito nets treated with insect repellents. That’s what WHO advocates in Africa and it should also help in Bangkok.