Are Tropical vaccines needed before coming to Thailand

Post by **poolshark** » February 13, 2013, 7:30 pm

My Brother is coming to Thailand with me this Spring.

I got the full set of vaccines 9 years ago, when I first came to Thailand.

He has never had the innoculations Pack against Foreign Diseases, that Doctors give here in Ireland.

Would it be nessesary for him to have them if he is only staying in Bangkok and Pattaya for 7 Days.

They are €140 and I wonder would he really need the shots for such a short stay.?

He will not be in the Jungle but mostly in the Bars and other attractions in the tourist areas.

Post by **dingdong** » February 13, 2013, 7:43 pm

Lets put it this way if I was talking to my Son or Daughter
Its only for a short time and I know there are Diseases but should I use Protection???

YES / NO

Post by **davecryan** » February 13, 2013, 8:13 pm

poolshark wrote:My Brother is coming to Thailand with me this Spring.

I got the full set of vaccines 9 years ago, when I first came to Thailand.

He has never had the innoculations Pack against Foreign Diseases, that Doctors give here in Ireland.

Would it be nessesary for him to have them if he is only staying in Bangkok and Pattaya for 7 Days.

They are €140 and I wonder would he really need the shots for such a short stay.?

He will not be in the Jungle but mostly in the Bars and other attractions in the tourist areas.

He might need injections when he goes home, from what he contracts in the bars

Seriously if he keeps to the Cities, he should be OK.

Post by **dingdong** » February 13, 2013, 8:38 pm

YES only if you stay in the cities Yuk Yuk Yuk

Post by **Barney** » February 13, 2013, 8:56 pm

He should talk to a professional doctor with a knowledge in tropical diseases. Without trying to scare you there are many diseases that are not obvious to the normal traveller. Fortunately or unfortunately in my employment around the SEasia region i am obliged to have all innoculations up to date when applyoing for a work permit. Most are just a jab but some require follow up shots a few weeks later and some are now combined. If he is only going to Pattaya then as has been said he should be ok. If you have had nothing for 9 years then odds are you are not adequately protected any more either. You will get differing advice from those who say it is all b...s..t to those who go all the way and regularly get shots. We are all different in fitness and age. The following info is from the TRAVEL DOCTOR Australia. Your embassy will have updates. I thought the flu vaccination was for old people but since having one for the past 4 years through work i have not had a flu, just a few minor colds. Check out the website. http://www.traveldoctor.com.au

But as has already been mentioned iby dindong if you get the dreaded dribly dick you will be off the grog and horizontal dancing for at least a week. Use protection. Can ruin a holiday.

Thailand
We know travellers!
Travel Health Fact Sheet
ChickenpoxThis very common infectious disease can now be prevented through immunisation. Many people miss the disease
in childhood only to have a significant illness as an adult. Travel puts one at a higher risk of exposure & if one
cannot elicit a history of having had the illness, a test can show whether the traveller is at risk.
InfluenzaIndividuals intending to travel out of an Australian winter might consider the current flu vaccine at the beginning
of the season. Exposure to illness in airports & commuter transport is common, & exposure may ruin a much
needed break. In fact, influenza is likely to be the most common vaccine preventable disease faced by travellers.
Malaria
Malaria is transmitted by a night biting mosquito. The risk of exposure is low in Thailand, especially in the areas
frequented by travellers. These include beach resorts, Bangkok, Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai. While the risk is very
low, it is not NIL. Therefore it is important that travellers discuss their trip plans with a travel medicine specialist
prior to travel. Medications that reduce the risk of disease are not generally recommended but any illness which is
flu-like in nature upon returning should still be reviewed by a medical professional. See below.
Dengue Fever
Dengue (pronounced den-gee) Fever is a viral disease with flu like symptoms that is transmitted by mosquitoes.
There is no vaccine for dengue fever & prevention is based upon insect avoidance via repellents, nets & insecticides.
Japanese
Encephalitis
(JE)
JE is a mosquito borne viral disease prevalent in rural areas of Asia that can lead to serious brain infection
in humans. Risk is usually greatest during the monsoon months. A vaccine is available & is particularly
recommended for adults & children over 12 months of age who will be spending a month or more in rice growing
areas of countries at risk (or who repeatedly visit such areas). It is also recommended for people travelling to an
area where an outbreak is known to be occurring. Insect avoidance should be considered the primary means of
defence.
Rabies
Rabies is a deadly viral infection of the brain transmitted to humans. The disease itself is rare in travellers, but the
risk increases with extended travel & the likelihood of animal contact. The best way to avoid rabies is to avoid all
contact with animals. Dogs are the main carriers, however monkeys, bats, cats & other animals may also transmit
the disease. Pre-exposure vaccination is recommended for extended travel & those who work with, or are likely to
come in contact with animals.
Traveller’s
Diarrhoea
Up to 40% of tourists may develop 3 or more loose bowel motions a day within the first week of travel. A variety of
germs can be responsible for this infection. A Traveller’s Medical Kit containing appropriate therapy can rapidly
improve the symptoms. It is also important to follow the rules of healthy eating & drinking to minimise risks. The new
oral cholera vaccine has been shown to provide limited protection against some forms of traveller’s diarrhoea.
Malaria is a risk factor in parts of Thailand (see above). Malaria prevention options should be discussed with a travel health specialist
prior to departure.
Additional fact sheets can be found at The Travel Doctor-TMVC website http://www.traveldoctor.com.au. These include fact sheets about:
• eating & drinking safely;
• cholera;
• Japanese encephalitis;
• insect avoidance measures;
• traveller’s medical ki

Post by **jackspratt** » February 13, 2013, 9:10 pm

As the OP refers to tropical diseases, the answer is a pretty clear "not necessary".

If he wishes to indulge in carnal pleasures, the answer is the same as you would get for any region in the world.

Post by **rick** » February 14, 2013, 10:07 pm

Depends what you mean by 'tropical diseases'. Many diseases which are rare in Europe are commoner here. As far as vaccinations go, make sure Polio, Diphtheria, Whooping cough, Tetanus and Typhoid are up to date, if you missed any childhood diseases like Measles, Rubella and Chicken Pox need to consider them as well. Also Hepatitis (several types). You don't need things like Yellow Fever. if vaccinations are expensive, consider how much of your holiday you could lose through illness (how much did that ticket cost?) and also they usually last 10 years so not just for one trip. No need for medicines, nothing here warrants it, as suggested take some precaution against mosquito bites. Basic medicines available at pharmacy.

Post by **udonthani** » February 15, 2013, 12:16 am

Pls. do not forget hepatitis A and B they should be started now if he comes sometime this summer,those are the most important, tropical diseases is more a question if he will visit jungle areas, Tetanus is a must , not need yellow fever, also as suggested he should take some precaution against mosquito bites. Basic medicines available at any pharmacy.

Post by **Stantheman** » February 15, 2013, 5:41 am

Your best bet is to check with your government health department and go by what they recommend for travel to Thailand.

Post by **maaka** » February 15, 2013, 6:49 am

goggle ' WHO Thailand Vaccinations ' ( world health orgainsation )..it will guide you to the Center of Preventable Diseases , Thailand, and advice for incoming tourists..

Me, I have stayed in some grubby places, and I mean grubby, eaten some roadside stuff that was borderline, smacked a hell of alot of mozzies, drunk some suspect jungle juice, had unprotected ... and live to tell the tale....but I have a nasty cough, hahahaha, got stung by something that paralaysed one leg for nearly a week, and had a pistol stuck in my face..

I had an Aussie mate get Malaria, Ive known afew locals die of Bird Flu, and oddles of tourists die, or seriously injured from poisoning, spiked drinks, bike rental crashes, drownings, falling off buildings...So Mick, vaccinations are not the only thing to need to be aware of..

get your jabs, stay smart, watch who makes your drinks, beware of strangers of any nationality, and enjoy your trip...

Post by **KHONDAHM** » February 15, 2013, 10:42 am

If, on the off chance, you/he contracts one of those rare diseases and were laying up in a hospital after the short trip, would you/he be calling yourselves [blank] for not getting the shots? I would think of it as travel insurance. I'd want it for my bags and ticket, so why not for my health?

Walk through some of the home villages of many you meet in the "safe" cities and you will encounter all sorts of textbook cases of preventable ailments. Nobody from there is stopping by the clinic to get vaccinated before heading to the cities, either. That's for sure.

Spin the wheel and take your chances, I suppose...

Post by **Barney** » February 16, 2013, 9:44 pm

Poolshark assume you have plenty to go on now! as I mentioned I have shots for everything known to man for my work but FORGOT the one nasty you can't see coming. just took my kids in Vietnam to the beaches north of HCMC at Mui Ne for TET and ate the dreaded tuna sandwich at a very respectable resort! Did the tough guy act

for a while until there was nothing left to spray the bowl with

and sent she who knows best to the pharmacy, thanks Christ for Imodium [-o< the best blocker going. made the flight a confident trip from HCMC to KK Friday. put a couple of capsules in your mates medical kit. a deadset lifesaver this time. $\:D/$

Post by **poolshark** » March 23, 2013, 6:06 am

He has got them all now and as most of you say, better to be safe than sorry.
Cost €120 with his job discount.

Post by **Bonanza** » March 23, 2013, 7:42 am

If you feel you can't afford EU140 for vaccine you should consider whether you can really afford to fly to Thailand for a week.

Post by **kopkei** » March 23, 2013, 2:41 pm

immodium is good to block the problem but not really solving it , i use in this case disento which is a product against diarhhea from bacteriological origin and is available at any thai pharmacy..

Post by **Martyn** » March 24, 2013, 8:07 am

I was in Udon Thani and Loei during Christmas and New Year and returned to the UK with Dengue Fever. Okay there's no vaccine for it but it proves that there's something's out there that might get you.