Thailand (Lonely Planet, 13th Edition) - China Williams [656]
MEDICAL CHECKLIST
Recommended items for a personal medical kit include:
antifungal cream, eg Clotrimazole
antibacterial cream, eg Muciprocin
antibiotic for skin infections, eg Amoxicillin/Clavulanate or Cephalexin
antibiotics for diarrhoea include Norfloxacin, Ciprofloxacin or Azithromycin for bacterial diarrhoea; for giardiasis or amoebic dysentery Tinidazole
antihistamine – there are many options, eg Cetrizine for daytime and Promethazine for night
antiseptic, eg Betadine
antispasmodic for stomach cramps, eg Buscopan
contraceptives
decongestant
DEET-based insect repellent
oral rehydration solution for diarrhoea (eg Gastrolyte), diarrhoea ‘stopper’ (eg Loperamide) and antinausea medication (eg Prochlorperazine)
first-aid items such as scissors, Elastoplasts, bandages, gauze, thermometer (but not mercury), sterile needles and syringes, safety pins and tweezers
hand gel (alcohol based) or alcohol-based hand wipes
ibuprofen or another anti-inflammatory
indigestion medication, eg Quick Eze or Mylanta
laxative, eg Coloxyl
migraine sufferer – take along your personal medicine
paracetamol
Permethrin to impregnate clothing and mosquito nets if at high risk
steroid cream for allergic/itchy rashes, eg 1% to 2% hydrocortisone
sunscreen, hat and sunglasses
throat lozenges
thrush (vaginal yeast infection) treatment, eg Clotrimazole pessaries or Diflucan tablet
Ural or equivalent if you are prone to urine infections
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INTERNET RESOURCES
There is a wealth of travel-health advice on the internet. For further information, Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com) is a good place to start. International Travel & Health is a superb book published by the WHO (www.who.int/ith), which is revised annually and is available online at no cost. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC; www.cdc.gov) website has good general information and country-specific advice.
Check your own country’s Department of Foreign Affairs page for any current travel warnings, and register your trip if this facility is available. Registering greatly helps if there is an event such as a tsunami that requires the tracing of missing people.
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FURTHER READING
Lonely Planet’s Healthy Travel – Asia & India is a handy pocket-size book that is packed with useful information including pretrip planning, emergency first aid, immunisation and disease information and what to do if you get sick on the road. Other recommended references include Traveller’s Health by Dr Richard Dawood and Travelling Well by Dr Deborah Mills – check out the website www.travellingwell.com.au.
The Thai Red Cross produces an excellent book Healthy Living in Thailand which is strongly recommended, particularly for those staying long term.
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IN TRANSIT
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DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when blood clots form in the legs during long trips such as flights, chiefly because of prolonged immobility. The longer the journey, the greater the risk. Though most blood clots are reabsorbed uneventfully, some may break off and travel through the blood vessels to the lungs, where they can cause life-threatening complications.
The chief symptom of DVT is swelling or pain of the foot, ankle or calf, usually but not always on one side. When a blood clot travels to the lungs, it may cause chest pain and difficulty in breathing. Travellers with any of these symptoms should immediately seek medical attention.
To prevent the development of DVT on long flights you should walk about the cabin, perform isometric compressions of the leg muscles (ie contract the leg muscles while sitting) and drink plenty of fluids (nonalcoholic). Those at higher risk should speak with a doctor about extra preventive measures such as compression socks or medication.
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JET LAG & MOTION SICKNESS
Jet lag is common when crossing more than five time zones; it results in insomnia, fatigue, malaise or nausea. To avoid jet lag try drinking