just visited the docs
next time over there i will be driving upto nong kai the doc recomends a course of tablets cos of traveling near the lao border
there on a private prescription so quite costly (yes i do value my life to be worth more than the cost )
but was wondering if you can buy malarone over there from the pharmacys
thanks in advance for any advice
jambo
malaria tablets
Do not know whether this is relevant to what you are asking, but when I was in Samui 3 weeks ago, in the paper I read that an an Irish guy had been to the Jungle on the Thailand border, He contracted Dengi Fever and died within 2 weeks.
He had taken the strongest tablets/medicine to combat maleria/etx before he left, but they were know where near strong enough to combat the illness he contracted.
He was that bad that he managed to ring his parents in Ireland and tell them that he was dying, and after that passed away very quickly.
I have lived in North Queensland (Australia) and know people that have contracted both Maleria and Ross River Virus. Once it is in your system, it is never out of it.
All I can say, is to take all the tablets/medicne that the doctor prescribes and keep a can of mosquito repelant in your bag.
He had taken the strongest tablets/medicine to combat maleria/etx before he left, but they were know where near strong enough to combat the illness he contracted.
He was that bad that he managed to ring his parents in Ireland and tell them that he was dying, and after that passed away very quickly.
I have lived in North Queensland (Australia) and know people that have contracted both Maleria and Ross River Virus. Once it is in your system, it is never out of it.
All I can say, is to take all the tablets/medicne that the doctor prescribes and keep a can of mosquito repelant in your bag.
Always Borrow Money from a Pesimist. "They Never Expect it Back"
I agree with Chelsea, in 92 I first came to Thailand & was taking anti malarial drugs. My ex girlfriend & I both got dengue fever in Koh Phangan of all places. It can't have been a bad strain, we are still here to tell the tale, but we were both really ill. So again I can only agree, whatever tablets you take, keep your high deet content spray near by at all times as well. Dengue fever is from a mozzy with white stripes on its legs, that bites you during the day as well (or so I believe).
There is no protection against dengue fever, so the strength of anti malaria tablets is irrelevant.
The Thais call dengue fever Kai ler-ut ork, which translates as haemorraghic fever (lit. 'blood comes out fever'). Basically you bleed from the inside out. It is endemic in most parts of Thailand, including resorts and cities and is on the increase. Best way to avoid it is to avoid getting bitten. From memory there are four main strains and once you have contracted one, the effect when you contract another is worse. My nephew almost died of dengue fever last year. It was the second time he had contracted it. Thankfully he has made a full recovery but he is fearful of another attack. There have been some good threads on HHAD on this in the past so do a search for more info.
The Thais call dengue fever Kai ler-ut ork, which translates as haemorraghic fever (lit. 'blood comes out fever'). Basically you bleed from the inside out. It is endemic in most parts of Thailand, including resorts and cities and is on the increase. Best way to avoid it is to avoid getting bitten. From memory there are four main strains and once you have contracted one, the effect when you contract another is worse. My nephew almost died of dengue fever last year. It was the second time he had contracted it. Thankfully he has made a full recovery but he is fearful of another attack. There have been some good threads on HHAD on this in the past so do a search for more info.
Jaime's right there about dengue. Ie, no effective preventative measures to take, as far as I'm aware, and none to be given if contracted - except bed rest. As normal, the young, old, or weak are most at risk from serious repercussions.
Malaraia is another thing, as far as I'm concerned.
I think the thing is that you have to weigh up the potential side effects of the tablets against the potential risk of getting the disease, depending on the area you're visiting.
Reliable, up-to-date knowledge back home and certainly from better hospitals in Thailand is the best bet.
Jambo,
I've been up to Nong Khai a number of times and I'm not aware that it's a high risk area. However, it is by that big river, so at certian times of the year, there will be more mossies.
Remember, some malaria tablets have to be taken a couple of weeks before you travel.
Malaraia is another thing, as far as I'm concerned.
I think the thing is that you have to weigh up the potential side effects of the tablets against the potential risk of getting the disease, depending on the area you're visiting.
Reliable, up-to-date knowledge back home and certainly from better hospitals in Thailand is the best bet.
Jambo,
I've been up to Nong Khai a number of times and I'm not aware that it's a high risk area. However, it is by that big river, so at certian times of the year, there will be more mossies.
Remember, some malaria tablets have to be taken a couple of weeks before you travel.
Last edited by lomuamart on Fri Aug 04, 2006 1:49 am, edited 1 time in total.
I don’t know whether this is still the case, but when I first started working in Asia, the company I was working for sent me to the doctors for a course of anti-malarial treatment. When I got to the doctor he told me that if I was staying for more than a year, not to take them. This was because the drug was bad for your health if taken for long periods.
If you do want to take them, most small pharmacies in Thailand will sell you anything over the counter, providing you know a trade name that they recognise. (Obviously, get medical advice first.)
If you do want to take them, most small pharmacies in Thailand will sell you anything over the counter, providing you know a trade name that they recognise. (Obviously, get medical advice first.)