While traveling to
a different country many perceptions have to be taken to make sure that you
stay healthy during and after your trip. When you travel to Thailand you are at
risk for
Adult Diphtheria, Tetanus & Pertussis, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis
B ,Measles, Mumps & Rubella ,Polio
,Typhoid
,Varicella
,Influenza
,Japanese
B Encephalitis ,Rabies ,Tuberculosis.
People are recommended by the World Health Organization to get shots for all of
these illnesses before traveling to Thailand or surrounding areas. The list
that follows is more information on the diseases.
For Diphtheria
and Tetanus a booster is given to prevent
contracting them
Diphtheria
is a diseased caused by someone ingesting the bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The
bacteria can grow on food or other foreign objects making it very dangerous.
The Corynebacterium diphtheria courses
black and thick fibers that cover various airway, affects the throat and nose .
Then this bacteria produces its own toxins that can spread into your blood
stream and organs and in turn damaging them. Although having no symptoms is
common there are some symptoms you might want to look out for such as bloody, watery drainage from
nose, Breathing problems, Chills, Croup-like (barking) cough,Drooling, drooling, fever, painful swallowing, skin lesions (usually seen in
tropical areas).
Tetanus is coused by a bacteria called clostridium tetani
that affects the nervous system. This bacteria enters your body by entering a
open wound. Once in your system the bacteria spread and create a toxin called tetnospasmin. Tetnospasmin will
attach to the spinal cords and muscles,
which block the nerves system signals, causing muscle spasims. These
spasims can fracture the spine or tear muscles. Symptoms can start anywhere
between 7 to 21 day of contracting this virus and these symptoms are drooling,
hand or foot spasms, fever, defecation, trouble swallowing, and irritability.
Measles, Mumps & Rubella can
be prevented by Two doses of MMR .
Measles is a virus that is highly contagious. People contract measles by getting coming in
contact with an infected persons mucus or saliva. This includes being sneezed
or coughed on. A rash will start on your head and work its way down the body. Irritation or
redness of the eyes are commom to Symptoms will occur approximately 8-12 days
after being infected. Some symptoms are Blood shot eyes, fever light sensitivity, muscle pain Rash. From the 3rd to 5th day of being exposed to
measles you will start to show symptoms.
The Mumps is a disease that make your salivary glands
swell and it is very contagious. The swelling is very painful. The mumps virus is
spread by repertory droplets or coming in contact with an object with infected
saliva or mucus. Mumps can affect your testes, pancreas and central nervous
system. Some symptoms may include a fever, headache, sore throat, face pain,
and swelling of the temples or jaw.
Rubella is a contagious infection that is spread through
the air and creates a rash on the skin. The rash will appear on the skin about
one week after contracting the infection so people spread it without knowing
it. If a lady contracts rubella when she is pregnant the child will contract it
as well. Adult’s symptoms are bruising, fever, headache, general discomfort,
runny noses, inflammation of the eyes and muscle or joint pain.
Polio Can be prevented by a
single booster shot.
Poliomyelitis,
more commonly known as polio is a virus that affects the nerves. This virus is
spread through direct contact with mucus that has been infected. Polio will enter your body through the mouth
and nose and the virus will multiply in your intestines and throat. This usually spreads to your lymph system.
People show symptoms anywhere from 5 to 35 day after contracting polio.There
are three types of polio subclinical infections, nonparalytic, and paralytic.
Most people contract subclinical and this has little to no symptoms. Some
signs you may have nonparalytic polio are if you are
experiencing, vomiting, sore throat, fever and headache. Nonparalytic
polio symptoms are PubMed Health. A service of the National
Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.A.D.A.M. Medical
Encyclopedia. Atlanta (GA): A.D.A.M.; 2011. ,Back pain,pain or stiffness , skin rash, Vomiting, diarrhea, Irritability, Pain in front part of neck, Leg pain, Moderate fever, Muscle stiffness, Neck pain
and stiffness, fatigue, Headache. Paralytic polio symptoms are fever, drooling, difficulty
peeing, bloating, constipation, difficulty breathing, headache, and finally
muscle spasms, pain or weakness.
Typhoid can be
prevented by taking a vaccine.
Typhoid is caused by a bacteria
called salmonella typhi, and this bacteria produces a rash and diarrhea. The
bacteria is spread through food and water that have been contaminated with the
virus. Once the bacteria goes into your body it will pass through your
intestines and proceeds into the bloodstream. When the bacteria is in your
blood stream it travels to various organs in the body. Some symptoms are, fever,
abdominal pain, bloody stool, chills, mood swings, weakness, confusion,
hallucination and nosebleeds. In developing countries typhoid fever is very
common.
Influenza can be
prevented by a vaccine.
Influenza is an infection that is spread through the
lungs, nose and throat. Influenza viruses are what caused the flu. Influenza is
caused by water droplets that are spread through coughing and sneezing.
Symptoms appear approximately 1 to 7 days after getting the virus. Some
symptoms include body aches, chills flushed face, headache, dizziness,
vomiting, and fatigue. A dry cough, sneezing, sore throat and runny noses are
also common symptoms.
Tuberculosis A can be
prevented by a vaccine.
Tuberculosis caused by a bacterial infection that happens
in the lungs and other organs. This is a contagious disease. The bacteria is
called Mycobacterium tuberculosis and
you may consume this bacteria by breathing in water droplets with the bacteria.
When you get the bacteria in your system you usually receive symptoms right
away. Symptoms include, Coughing mucus or blood, fever, chest pain,
wheezing or difficulty breathing, fatigue and heavy perspiration.
Rabies can be temporarily
prevented by three shots of the vaccine.
Rabies
is a virus that is spread by being in contact with an infected animals saliva.
The virus will attack your nervous system and causes your brain to swell. Stray
cat, dogs, skunks, foxes and monkeys are all potential carriers of this
disease. Some symptoms may include,
drooling, convulsions, stress, muscle
spasms, pain and foaming at the mouth.
Japanese B Encephalitis can be prevented by a vaccine.
Encephalitis in an infection that causes irritation or
swelling of the brain which destroys nerve cells. You may contract Encephalitis
when breathing in infected water droplets, having skin contact, digesting a
contaminated drink or food and getting bit by a bug with the virus. Some
symptoms include disorientation, irritability, light sensitivity, vomiting,
stiff neck, and drowsiness.
Two booster shot will be given to you to
prevent Hepatitis A
Hepatitis
A is when your liver swells from the hepatitis a virus. You may contract
hepatitis A if you digest something that has come in contact with infected
stool or if you have anal or oral sexual contact with a person with hepatitis
A. 15 to 45 days before showing symptoms of having the illness it may be found
in a person’s stool. From the 2nd to 6th week of
contracting hep A symptoms occur and some symptoms may be, dark urine, fatigue,
fever, nausea, itching, and jaundice.
Three shouts of hepatitis B shot given to you over the span of six months
to prevent hepatitis B.
Hepatitis B is when your liver swells due to the
hepatitis virus. This virus is spread through semen, vaginal fluid, and blood.
You may contract it by blood transfusions, sexual contact with an effected
person, acupuncture, piercings or getting
a tattoo with an unclean needle and sharing personal things such as
tooth brushes. There are not many immediately symptoms, but you may feel ill.
After six months of having the disease you may have loss of appetite, fever,
jaundice, vomiting, muscle aches and fatigue.
Hin Daeng and Hin Muang are two
different coral sites that people go scuba diving. These are located outside of
the Similan Islands. The Hin daeng is
also known as red rock due to the radiant shapes of red that come from the
rocks and coral. A lot of small fish and other sea creature live in the rock
and coral so if you pay close attention you can see little fish and other wild
life living there as well. Hin Mauang are the dive sites that are home to rocks
and coral that are purple. Hin Muang is also known as purple rock. In Hin
Mauang you will find Thailand highest vertical wall in the water. This wall of
rock and coral is covered with different shades and patterns of purple. This
was is 60 meters. Both of these dive sites show wonderful colors and different
unique wild life. 
The floating market is one of the main reasons I want to
go to Thailand! A floating market is just like your everyday flee market except
you’re on a boat. Damnoen Saduak is the most famous floating market in Thailand
and is only approximately 100 km south of Thailand. At these markets things are
bought, sold and bartered. Items such as fruit, vegetables, grains, meats are
sold here. Other objects such as hats and shoes are also sold at these markets.
Thin canoes like boat twist and travel there was through this somewhat cyanotic
market.
