[Uzezqelj]

Hello,
I'm new to the forum and Im not 100% sur where to post this. But it is an urgent question I need answered now. Any help is much appreciated.

As a child i recieved an operation that rendered my Spleen damaged, and it no longer works. As a result I have been told I cannot go to places infected with Malaria. So my question;

Can I go to Thailand? Is all of Thailand Malaria endemic? Is there any part of the country I could safely visit?

Any replys are much appreciated

Peace

Christopher McHugh

[Uzezqelj]

I wanna highlight, I'm meant to be doin volunteer work while im there

[ireleda]

At 74? if you are that old why worry about malaria or anything else for christs sakes, I am that age and if I am gonna die anyway what does a few days or months matter.
Let it all hang out..

[markshome23]

yes, and my mother's doctor, an epidemologist in charge of vaccinating travellers to outside of Europe, advised her to take malaria pills when she heard she is going to Bangkok.
some physicians just have no clue and cannot even be bothered to check facts.
the facts seem to be that you are in danger of contracting malaria in Thailand if you are staying in jungle areas for prolonged periods of time.
I would say don't go volunteering somewhere remote, like the jungle areas bordering Burma or Laos. definitely not in Mae Sot, where lots of people volunteer with refugees from Burma. use mosquito nets and repellants. it's not like people here cannot breathe because the air is so thick with mosquitos. and if you have a high fever, you need to see a doctor immediately.

[SkeniaInhilla]

Old ladies do worry or cause worry-I think she freaked out a lot of people back home by coming to Thailand on her own in the first place-and I think was frightened somewhat by friends/relatives worried about her- and subsequently badly advised. She was feeling ill when I met her-but felt a lot better after a few days of not taking "Larium"-which has a lot of side effects.

[SkeniaInhilla]

I would add that if you get influenza like symptoms, high temperature, aching bones etc after you return to the UK-go to a Doctor IMMEDIATELY.

[SkeniaInhilla]

yes, and my mother's doctor, an epidemologist in charge of vaccinating travellers to outside of Europe, advised her to take malaria pills when she heard she is going to Bangkok.
some physicians just have no clue and cannot even be bothered to check facts.

So right, Betti. I met an old lady (74) who had been advised by medical professionals to take anti-Malarials for Chiang Mai. You have not heard the best bit yet. She was prescribed "Larium" -which is totally ineffective in Thailand and surrounding countries!!

[Yswxomvy]

The physician who is talking to me right now said you had better check with WHO. He is based in Bkk and he says that there's in fact Malaria even in Bkk, but not widespread.

[sEe]

When I first travelled across Asia I was taking Malaria tablets. But stopped once I arrived in Thailand. Just about all the touristy areas are malaria free. However, that doesn't mean there isn't a risk. Living here, we all take precautions at night by covering up and using mosquito repellent if need be. But, I am hardly ever bothered by mosquitoes.

However, I am more worried about dengue fever as you can get this from mosquitoes that bite during the day. It is the rainy season and that is when they are more active. But, we are only talking about 20 deaths a year in a population of 60 million. More people get killed by tigers, elephants and other wild animals.

According to traveldoctor.co.uk:

Risk very low: Thailand - Bangkok and main tourist areas including Pattaya, Phuket, Krabi, Hua Hin, Koh Samui, Kanchanaburi, Damnoen Sadouak, Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, Khon Kaen & Chiang Mai.

Risk great: Thailand - Near borders with Cambodia & Myanmar. Koh Chang

[ireleda]

I don't think that Thailand is a very malaria ridden country, I have never seen anyone with it and I do not see many mosquito's around here where we live and there are no swamps or wet areas,
I have never been bitten by a mossie and I have lived here for over 7 years, altho we do have windows and screens and do run out air cons some and always keep the screens and doors closed.
Now we live like farang tho, so if you want to go native and live in a wooden house with no windows, just shutters and no screens and the doors open all the time then you might have a problem.
But I do not think that malaria is very well set here so I really would not worry to much about it.