Medical Preparations for a Trip to Thailand

Any trip overseas requires thorough preparation, and for a trip to Asia medication preparation is part of that planning. Any trip to Asia should be preceded by a trip to a travel advisor at your local medical center. These advisors will prepare you for your trip with any missing vaccinations, medications necessary for the particular part of Asia you'll be in, and by prescribing emergency medications. All of these will be discussed in further detail.

Vaccinations

Most of the vaccinations that are necessary for Thailand travel are usually given as a child. Chances are you may need a booster on vaccines like Hepatitis A, B, and C, rather than a new shot. Should a new shot or booster be needed, it is recommended that the individual get the shot four weeks before traveling, two weeks before traveling at the very latest as this time is needed for the vaccine to come into full effect. Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) is also necessary to travel, but since children these days are given this shot at an early age, chances are you've had it. Should you be missing your MMR for any reasons, or never finished the full round of it, it might be necessary to fill up on another dose. Last of the common vaccinations is the Tetanus-diphtheria vaccinations. Depending on how up-to-date you stay on your shots, you may not need a new one. Typical recommendation for revaccination is every ten years, unless tighter levels are low in the blood. Side effects of the abovementioned vaccinations are rather common, soreness, headache, and malaise; if side-effects become severe a doctor should be consulted. Additionally, since Tetanus shots can cause major soreness and sometimes a reduction in movement for around a week, possibly more, it is advisable to get this shot several weeks before travel. As with other vaccinations this gives the vaccine time to work, and you time to recover from the side-effects.

Less common vaccinations needed for Thailand are Typhoid, a vaccination generally given in pill form. Four capsules are prescribed and taken one day apart until complete. This form of vaccination is good for several years, while the second form of Typhoid vaccination, a shot, is only good for a year's time. Depending on your monetary, medical, and personal, conditions, you and your doctor can choose between the different forms of vaccination. Conditions for choosing one over the other may include immune system conditions, pregnancy, age, etc.

The last two vaccinations, Yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis are only recommended depending on the areas of travel. During your consultation with your travel advisor a map will be given to you to point out our specific areas of travel. Generally these two vaccinations are given to those traveling to rural areas where the two diseases are prevalent. Medical advisors will also have information on recent outbreaks of seasons when the diseases are particularly prevalent. Furthermore, insect repellant is highly recommended to protect against these diseases as Japanese encephalitis is spread through mosquitoes, and even cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai have seen outbreaks.

While there are other vaccinations like Polio and Cholera that can be given, they rarely are. Polio is generally completed during childhood, but for those who did not receive a polio vaccine it may be considered. Polio actually has not been reported in Thailand for quite some time; however, depending on the duration and location of your visit an advisor may chose to administer the vaccine. The second mentioned Cholera does not have an approved vaccination in the U.S, but can be obtained in Australia, Canada, and the European Union through two recently developed vaccines. Is it worth the trouble? Not really, travelers to Thailand are considered being at very low risk for infection, although cases of Cholera have been reported in the country. Higher risk individuals are generally those who work in medical situations, and those traveling to remote areas where one may not easily be able to obtain medical attention upon infection. It is best to have a plan of action for these situations, as the old U.S vaccination for Cholera is no longer manufactured. It now remains to be seen in the future whether these two new Cholera vaccinations will make it to the U.S, and if they are necessary for Thailand travel.

Medication

While in Thailand you'll want to have several types of medication on hand, perhaps more depending on the duration of the stay and your personal health circumstances, but we'll just cover the basics here.

First and foremost, you'll need to go equipped with a Malaria medication. There are several types of Malaria medications, and only you and your doctor or travel advisor can choose the right one for you. Be sure to do your research on the side-effects and how to take the medication in order to avoid any problems while traveling. Furthermore, Malaria medication must be continued up to two weeks after you return in order to ensure your safety and health.

The second medication you'll want with you is an antibiotic effective against the bacteria of your specific location. In most cases, travel advisors and doctors prescribe a specific antibiotic for severe traveler's diarrhea, this is an important item to take with you so be sure to mention you allergies so they can appropriately chose a safe and effective antibiotic for you.

Lastly, you need some common over-the-counter remedies. When choosing medication, keep in mind antacids; medications for diarrhea, stomach ache, headaches, menstrual cramps or complications, and other personal needs.

Other Protection against Infection

Since insect spread diseases like Japanese encephalitis and Malaria are common in Thailand, especially in rural areas, insect repellants are highly recommended. This recommendation is not to be taken lightly, and should be purchased before traveling, and utilized daily while in Thailand. The general recommendation is for 30 Deet or higher. A mosquito net may also be desirable for travelers to rural areas.

A great many things must be kept in mind before traveling, but this doesn't mean that health precautions should be avoided. Seeing a doctor or travel advisor before traveling to Thailand is essential to a safe trip to any country.