Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Health
Health risks and the quality of medical facilities vary depending on where and how you travel in Thailand. The majority
of major cities and popular tourist areas are well developed with adequate and even excellent medical care. Travel to re-
mote rural areas can expose you to some health risks and less adequate medical care.
Travellers tend to worry about contracting exotic infectious diseases when visiting the tropics, but such infections are
far less common than problems with pre-existing medical conditions and accidental injury (especially as a result of
traffic accidents).
Becoming ill in some way is common, however. Respiratory infections, diarrhoea and dengue fever are particular haz-
ards in Thailand. Fortunately, most common illnesses can be prevented or are easily treated.
The following advice is a general guide and does not replace the advice of a doctor trained in travel medicine.
FURTHER READING
»
International Travel & Health
(
www.who.int/ith
) Health guide published by the World Health Organization
(WHO).
»
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
(CDC;
www.cdc.gov
)
Country-specific advice.
»
Healthy Travel - Asia & India
(by Lonely Planet) Includes pretrip planning, emergency first aid, and immunisa-
tion and disease information.
»
Traveller's Health: How to Stay Healthy Abroad
(by Dr Richard Dawood) Considered the 'health bible' for in-
ternational holidays.
