Secret Thailand > Staying Healthy
It is wise to make sure health and travel insurance is in order before taking off. Inexpensive, short-term traveler's insurance is available from several reliable companies found on the Internet. Fees are quite reasonable and extra coverage can be added if your itinerary includes any extreme sports.
With a basic idea of the locations you plan to visit in mind, set up an appointment with your local health office to receive vaccinations. Most areas call for nothing more than basic vaccinations like tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis A and B, measles, mumps, and rubella. In order to give the shots time to work, plan to get them at least three weeks before departure.
Certain less developed areas of the country may carry malaria warnings. These warnings should be taken very seriously as malaria is often fatal. It is essential to familiarize yourself with the different anti-malarial medications effective in each region. It is equally important to take preventative steps to avoid mosquito bites. A DEET-based repellent is a must. Choose a hotel with mosquito netting over the beds. It is a good idea to wear long sleeves and pants after dark, if you can manage it in the heat.
The key tip to staying healthy while traveling through Thailand is don't drink the water. Since the Thai people don't drink the water either, it is relatively easy to avoid. Bottled water is everywhere and it is quite common to see trucks delivering huge blocks of ice to restaurants and hotels.
Almost every hotel in the country includes at least a couple of bottles of complementary water with their rooms. The better hotels filter their water, but it is still best not to ingest it. Keeping a bottle by the sink in the bathroom is a good reminder not to use the tap water when brushing your teeth.
Raw fruits and vegetables should be eaten with care in case they were washed in unsanitary water. As a rule, anything that has to be peeled before it is eaten is safe. Fortunately some of the more exotic fruits, like mangosteens and rambutans, come with tough skins that protect the inner flesh from contamination. Generally, anything that has been baked boiled or fried is considered safe to eat.
Every traveler should carry a well stocked first aid kit. Even if the only thing you ever use is the asprin to quell a hangover, you'll be glad you have it. In addition to all of your prescription drugs, a bare-bones kit should include:
Antibacterial skin cream
Antibiotic for intestinal bacterias - a quick phone call to your family doctor should be enough to get a prescription of ciprofloxacin
Asprin
Band-aids
Contraceptives
Diarrhea treatment
Elastic bandages - for strained or sprained ankles etc.
Hydrocortisone cream - for itchy bug bites and rashes
Mosquito repellent - DEET based is best
Motion sickness tablets
Sunscreen - SPF 30 or higher
It goes without saying that the only place to keep your prescription drugs while traveling is on your person. A lost piece of baggage should never endanger your health.
Safe sex is of utmost importance when traveling through Thailand. HIV is one of the country's leading killers of people under the age of 50. Whether you hire professional company for the evening or you hit it off with a fellow traveler, be smart, use a condom!
Staying Healthy In Thailand
With just a few precautions and a little common sense, visitors will have no problem staying healthy while visiting Thailand.It is wise to make sure health and travel insurance is in order before taking off. Inexpensive, short-term traveler's insurance is available from several reliable companies found on the Internet. Fees are quite reasonable and extra coverage can be added if your itinerary includes any extreme sports.
With a basic idea of the locations you plan to visit in mind, set up an appointment with your local health office to receive vaccinations. Most areas call for nothing more than basic vaccinations like tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis A and B, measles, mumps, and rubella. In order to give the shots time to work, plan to get them at least three weeks before departure.
Certain less developed areas of the country may carry malaria warnings. These warnings should be taken very seriously as malaria is often fatal. It is essential to familiarize yourself with the different anti-malarial medications effective in each region. It is equally important to take preventative steps to avoid mosquito bites. A DEET-based repellent is a must. Choose a hotel with mosquito netting over the beds. It is a good idea to wear long sleeves and pants after dark, if you can manage it in the heat.
The key tip to staying healthy while traveling through Thailand is don't drink the water. Since the Thai people don't drink the water either, it is relatively easy to avoid. Bottled water is everywhere and it is quite common to see trucks delivering huge blocks of ice to restaurants and hotels.
Almost every hotel in the country includes at least a couple of bottles of complementary water with their rooms. The better hotels filter their water, but it is still best not to ingest it. Keeping a bottle by the sink in the bathroom is a good reminder not to use the tap water when brushing your teeth.
Raw fruits and vegetables should be eaten with care in case they were washed in unsanitary water. As a rule, anything that has to be peeled before it is eaten is safe. Fortunately some of the more exotic fruits, like mangosteens and rambutans, come with tough skins that protect the inner flesh from contamination. Generally, anything that has been baked boiled or fried is considered safe to eat.
Every traveler should carry a well stocked first aid kit. Even if the only thing you ever use is the asprin to quell a hangover, you'll be glad you have it. In addition to all of your prescription drugs, a bare-bones kit should include:
Antibacterial skin cream
Antibiotic for intestinal bacterias - a quick phone call to your family doctor should be enough to get a prescription of ciprofloxacin
Asprin
Band-aids
Contraceptives
Diarrhea treatment
Elastic bandages - for strained or sprained ankles etc.
Hydrocortisone cream - for itchy bug bites and rashes
Mosquito repellent - DEET based is best
Motion sickness tablets
Sunscreen - SPF 30 or higher
It goes without saying that the only place to keep your prescription drugs while traveling is on your person. A lost piece of baggage should never endanger your health.
Safe sex is of utmost importance when traveling through Thailand. HIV is one of the country's leading killers of people under the age of 50. Whether you hire professional company for the evening or you hit it off with a fellow traveler, be smart, use a condom!
