HEALTH
TRAVELLER’S DIARRHOEA
» (^) use mosquito coils
» (^) spray your room with
insect repellent before going
out for your evening meal
Measles
This highly contagious viral
infection is spread through
coughing and sneezing. Most
people born before 1966 are
immune as they had the dis-
ease in childhood. Measles
starts with a high fever and
rash and can be complicated
by pneumonia and brain
disease. There is no specifi c
treatment. Ensure you are
fully vaccinated.
Rabies
This uniformly fatal disease
is spread by the bite or lick
of an infected animal – most
commonly a dog or monkey.
You should seek medical
advice immediately after any
animal bite and commence
post-exposure treatment.
Having a pretravel vaccination
means the postbite treatment
is greatly simplifi ed.
If an animal bites you,
gently wash the wound with
soap and water, and apply
iodine-based antiseptic. If
you are not prevaccinated
you will need to receive
rabies immunoglobulin as
soon as possible, followed by
fi ve shots of vaccine over 28
days. If prevaccinated you
need just two shots of vac-
cine given three days apart.
STDs
Sexually transmitted diseases
most common in Thailand in-
clude herpes, warts, syphilis,
gonorrhoea and chlamydia.
People carrying these dis-
eases often have no signs of
infection. Condoms will pre-
vent gonorrhoea and chlamy-
dia but not warts or herpes. If
after a sexual encounter you
develop any rash, lumps, dis-
charge or pain when passing
urine seek immediate medical
attention. If you have been
sexually active during your
travels have an STD check on
your return home.
Ty phoid
This serious bacterial infec-
tion is spread through food
and water. It gives a high
and slowly progressive fever,
severe headache, and may
be accompanied by a dry
cough and stomach pain. It
is diagnosed by blood tests
and treated with antibiotics.
Vaccination is recommended
for all travellers spending
more than a week in Thai-
land, or travelling outside of
the major cities. Be aware
that vaccination is not 100%
eff ective so you must still
be careful with what you eat
and drink.
Traveller’s
Diarrhoea
Traveller’s diarrhoea is by far
the most common problem
aff ecting travellers – up
to 50% of people will suf-
fer from some form of it
within two weeks of starting
their trip. In over 80% of
cases, traveller’s diarrhoea is
caused by a bacteria (there
are numerous potential
culprits), and responds
promptly to treatment with
antibiotics.
Here we defi ne traveller’s
diarrhoea as the passage
of more than three watery
RARE BUT BE AWARE
» Avian Influenza – Most of those infected have had
close contact with sick or dead birds.
» Filariasis – A mosquitoborne disease that is common
in the local population; practise mosquito-avoidance
measures.
» (^) Hepatitis E – Transmitted through contaminated food
and water and has similar symptoms to hepatitis A;
can be a severe problem in pregnant women. Follow
safe eating and drinking guidelines.
» (^) Japanese B Encephalitis – Viral disease transmitted
by mosquitoes, typically occurring in rural areas; vac-
cination is recommended for travellers spending more
than one month outside cities or for long-term expats.
» Meliodosis – Contracted by skin contact with soil.
Affects up to 30% of the local population in northeast-
ern Thailand. The symptoms are very similar to those
experienced by tuberculosis (TB) sufferers. There is no
vaccine but it can be treated with medications.
» (^) Strongyloides – A parasite transmitted by skin con-
tact with soil; common in local population. It is charac-
terised by an unusual skin rash – a linear rash on the
trunk which comes and goes. An overwhelming infec-
tion can follow. It can be treated with medications.
» (^) Tuberculosis – Medical and aid workers and long-
term travellers who have significant contact with the
local population should take precautions. Vaccination is
recommended for children spending more than three
months in Thailand. The main symptoms are fever,
cough, weight loss, night sweats and tiredness. Treat-
ment is available with long-term multidrug regimens.
» (^) Typhus – Murine typhus is spread by the bite of a
flea; scrub typhus is spread via a mite. Symptoms in-
clude fever, muscle pains and a rash. Following general
insect-avoidance measures and doxycycline will also
prevent them.