Asia - Vaccinations for Thailand?

Hi,
We're going to Thailand (bangkok and koh samui) for about 1 week later this month.
I wanted to see if people got all the shots they suggest on the CDC website.

Also, if dengue fever is as serious of a problem in those areas of Thailand as some news articles make it out to be.

Thx!

Hi,
We're going to Thailand (bangkok and koh samui) for about 1 week later this month.
I wanted to see if people got all the shots they suggest on the CDC website.

Also, if dengue fever is as serious of a problem in those areas of Thailand as some news articles make it out to be.

Thx!

I live on Phuket and part-time in Bangkok. I'm not a doctor, but I do take good care of my health. For a brief visit I don't think you need anything special. If you were staying for a year out in the boonies next to a rice paddy - then you might be more concerned. Most long term expats here keep up all the same shots you would at home, plus Hep A and B.

I find the CDC website scary - but I guess they have to cover their b*tts!

Hep A and Hep B definitely, if you have time, but you should have these anyway. The Typhoid vaccine is pretty easy, three pills I think? And then any boosters. I'd have this done no matter where I lived or traveled to; simple, safe protection.

I wouldn't worry about rabies, dengue fever or Japanese encephalitis.

Whatever you do, don't consult with your doctor or a travel medicine department where you receive your health care. They won't know your medical history, they won't know of any special circumstances which might make you more vulnerable to certain problems, and they won't know about possible interactions between medications that you are currently taking and the prophylaxes for the various you might encounter.

Hep A and Hep B definitely, if you have time, but you should have these anyway. The Typhoid vaccine is pretty easy, three pills I think? And then any boosters. I'd have this done no matter where I lived or traveled to; simple, safe protection.

I wouldn't worry about rabies, dengue fever or Japanese encephalitis.

If I remember correctly Typhoid is a 3 pill regimen taken over a week. However if available I recommend the shot. It lasts a few extra years.

For most travelers to Thailand, the two Hep vaccinations should suffice as well as making sure that your tetanus shots are up to date. Whenever I mention to my doctor that I'm flying to Thailand, he plies me with prescriptions for Cipro and something for intestinal issues, but I never bother to fill them and have never needed them.
For the actual flight and adjusting to the time change for the first couple of nights (for US east coasters it's a 12-hour time difference), you may want to ask for a sleep aid as well.

Hi,
We're going to Thailand (bangkok and koh samui) for about 1 week later this month.
I wanted to see if people got all the shots they suggest on the CDC website.

Also, if dengue fever is as serious of a problem in those areas of Thailand as some news articles make it out to be.

Thx!

When I went for a week I just took Hep A. I already had typhoid, and my tetanus was up to date. I wouldn't take anything in addition to this. ALSO...just so you know, Hep A is taken in two phases. The first phase about a month pre-departure (i think) will work for about 2 years, and then you take a second dose six months later which expands your immunity to I tihnk 10-15yrs if I remember correctly.

-W

to the replies...

as there is no vaccine for dengue fever, should i just not worry about this? (and just apply a ton of repellent)

it appears it's a very small risk in the areas of thailand where I will be visiting.

as there is no vaccine for dengue fever, should i just not worry about this? (and just apply a ton of repellent)1. Don't worry so much. ;) For most tourists, their biggest health problem is the after-effects of spicy food. ("Hawng nam, yoo tee nai?")
2.Thailand does have plenty of mosquitos, even in Bangkok, but they've never really bothered me much. (Here in DC, on the other hand, they eat me alive.) Maybe it's all the garlic in the food or maybe it's because most outdoor restaurants will have mosquito coils burning. A good repellant should work fine if you are normally bothered by mosquitos.

I went for 3 weeks to both Thailand and Cambodia. No shots. Did have Hep B already

Hi,
We're going to Thailand (bangkok and koh samui) for about 1 week later this month.
I wanted to see if people got all the shots they suggest on the CDC website.

Also, if dengue fever is as serious of a problem in those areas of Thailand as some news articles make it out to be.

Thx!

Two vaccination regimens which you should definitely get and don't let anyone tell you otherwise....this is for international travel, whether Thailand, South America, even Europe.

Hep B - 3 shot regimen, first month, second month, 6th month. First two shots for efficacy/protection, 3rd for memory cell activation. You might want to test first for anti-bodies and/or antigen (you might be carrier if Asian descent but if not, chances fairly slim).

Hep A - 2 shot regimen, first month, 6th month. First shot for efficacy/protection, second same plus memory cell activation.

Both Hep regimens then good for 10 yrs...if you get challenged by virus, titre levels will shoot up and memory cells 're-activated' but still good to get booster every 10 yrs.

Others - make sure tetanus is updated, boosters every 10 yrs is recommended, 5 yr won't hurt you.

Bring something for anti-diarhea also :(

Hep vaccination is good -- and now you can get both A & B in one series of shots (0, 1 and 6 months), just ask for "Twinrix". ^

to the replies...

as there is no vaccine for dengue fever, should i just not worry about this? (and just apply a ton of repellent)

it appears it's a very small risk in the areas of thailand where I will be visiting.

Apply repellent and stop worrying. It's a small risk -- though it does happen: I caught a nasty case here in Phnom Penh last August. But that makes one time (so far), and was only after living here for a few years. Still, I wouldn't want to repeat the experience...

Michael

For most travelers to Thailand, the two Hep vaccinations should suffice as well as making sure that your tetanus shots are up to date. Whenever I mention to my doctor that I'm flying to Thailand, he plies me with prescriptions for Cipro and something for intestinal issues, but I never bother to fill them and have never needed them.
For the actual flight and adjusting to the time change for the first couple of nights (for US east coasters it's a 12-hour time difference), you may want to ask for a sleep aid as well.


Also, for adults especially, my doctor uncle recommends baby aspirin 2 days before your outbound and inbound flight to help prevent DVT. AS LONG AS THIS DOES NOT INTERFERE WITH ANY OTHER MEDECINE OR MEDICAL PROBLEMS.

Good advice for any flight 6+ hours.

One thing to add to all of the above: Dukoral. It provide you with immunization against diarrhea/cholera. I don't know if it is available outside of Canada.

http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/2325ce.htm
http://www.travellersdiarrhea.com

We were in Thailand (South and North), Cambodia, and Vietnam for 2 months and we never had any stomach problems even with street stall foods. Cambodia is known to get those even with iron cast stomachs.
Good luck and have a safe trip.