Immunizations
No vaccinations are required
for entry into Thailand except for yellow fever for travelers
arriving from endemic regions (parts of Africa and Latin America).
Immunizations for tetanus, polio, rabies, typhoid, tuberculosis,
Japanese encephalitis and hepatitis are advisable (but not
essential) before travel to Southeast Asia.
Water
In Bangkok or upcountry, drinking
water straight from the tap is unadvisable. Like the Thais,
use only a reliable brand of bottled water or boiled water
from the tap. Be wary of ice, which may come from a questionable
source, and is often manhandled unhygienically. Cylindrical
ice cubes with a hole through them are usually produced and
delivered under hygienic conditions.
Food
Choosing food and restaurants
is pretty much a case of common sense. If the restaurant or
food looks dirty, then avoid it. Also stay away from shellfish,
no matter how good that dish may look, and raw or fermented
products such as ‘pla ra’ (fermented fish), which are known
to harbor parasites. Steer clear of suspicious-looking meat
dishes that may have been cooled and reheated. Fruits and
vegetables should be washed or peeled before eating.
Cuts and
Scrapes
In the tropics, even the most
minor cuts and scratches seem to go septic and take longer
to heal than in colder climates. Clean cuts carefully and
treat them with an antiseptic such as tincture of iodine or
the bright-red mercurochrome, as the Thais do. Avoid plasters
and bandages, which tend to prolong the healing process.
Sunburn
and Sunstroke
You can get sunburned very
easily in the tropics, even when it’s cloudy. Use a sunscreen,
hat and good-quality sunglasses. If you do get burned, use
a proprietary cold cream for relief.
Sunstroke and heat exhaustion
may also creep up on the unwary traveler. Dizziness, fatigue
and cramps are common symptoms of heat exhaustion. Make sure
you drink plenty of water and salts, and stay out of the sun
during very hot spells.
Diarrhea
For the frequent traveler,
diarrhea is almost inevitable. Just a change in drinking water
and food can trigger an attack. These are generally not cause
for concern though. When diarrhea strikes, it’s important
to guard against dehydration by drinking lots of fluids such
as weak tea or rehydration salts dissolved in water. Avoid
food for a while to avoid recurrence.
Severe attacks, with bleeding
or mucus in the stools, accompanied by high fever could be
an indication of something more serious such as dysentery.
In this case, medical consultation should be sought.
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