Thailand; Cambodia; and Laos- Shots and Rainy Season?
 

I just received word I got my new job. As I dont have to start until Oct. 5, I wanted to take a quick vacation and immediately thought of S. East Asia considering I have 25 days.

I would leave this Sunday or Monday...and thus any shots I get would only have 4-5 days to kick in.

Additionally, I am concerned about "rainy season."

I am quite adventurous and would love to do a trek in Thailand and Laos...and I would additionally like to go to the beach areas of Thailand.

Is there any concern for A) the shots not having enough time to kick in; and B)weather ruining any hikes or beach time.

Any help would be great; I have never been to S.E. Asia and this is so last minute (pretty typical for my travel).

THANKS!

Take a look at weatherbase.com to get an indication of the likely weather. Do note that many people have reported that their travels during the rainy season were superb. Don't let it scare you off.

Anyone giving you the shots should be able to tell you the time frame. Lokk at the CDC website for information on which shots. If you're going to Siem Riep, you should consider a Malaria prophylaxis. We took Malarone without a problem. Do a search on this forum for posts.

You're going to have a great time. I'm officially jealous.

For info on weather, take a look at www.weatherbase.com Look at each place you are planning to visit. Note that the Gulf of Thailand and the Adaman Sea are influenced by different weather patterns, so not all beach areas will be rainy at the same time.

Take a look at the cdc website as mentioned by Gpanda,
wwwn.cdc.gov/travel

No vaccines are required, but it is certainly wise to get vaccines.

>Consult with a travel med or tropical med doc about what is right for you.

Here is a quick run-down:

You should ensure that "routine vaccines" are up to date; tetanus/diptheria as well as vaccines against so-called childhood diseases (measles, mumps, rubella) and you polio vaccine is up to date.

Hep A is a food and water-borne illness. Since you have no control over the hand-washing habits of those handling your food, it is smart to have this vaccine - even if you are staying at home. Hep B is blood-borne, many people opt to get Hep A and B together. Hep A and B vaccines confer at least 20 years of protection (as long as you complete the series, and may well confer life time protection.

Typhoid is also a food and water borne illness. The shot is good for 2-3 years, the oral vaccine for 5 years.

Malaria and Dengue are endemic in Laos and Cambodia, so make sure you protect yourself against mosquito bites. Anti-malarials are typically recommend for this area as well. Given the resistances of malaria in this area, only doxycycline and malarone are effective here.

In general, it takes a week to 10 days for vaccines to gain full effectiveness. IMO, it's still worthwhile to get any vaccines you need.

there may be some days of intense rain but you should know that in advance from forecasts.....the locals can also warn you....

i would be very careful of mosquitos...

no reason not to go and have a fabulous time....

Thanks so much guys/gals. Unfortunately, it looks like I may not be able to go!

Grrrrrr....not one clinic has any availability BEFORE next week; I am supposed to leave Monday.

I am working the phone lines as I type. And for me...a person who mosquitos LOVE LOVE LOVE to eat...this would be an issue.

I am holding out hope; sad thing is...I have the four weeks now to do this...but didnt know I would have it until today.

GRRRRRR....I will keep y'all updated...but THANKS AGAIN FOR THE REPLIES!

Is your primary care doc willing to give you the vaccines and write for the anti-malarials? It doesn't hurt to ask. Print out the info from the cdc before you go (you should do that even with a travel med doc, just so you are clear what the guidelines are and can ask questions.)

Also, are you close to a medical school? Med schools often have travel med/tropical med clinics. Also, in some places the Public health Clinics (run by the county or the city) offer these vaccines.

I live in the land of the hospital-- BOSTON, MA! Unfortunately every single clinic is booked. It is absolutely ridiculous. Either people are hypochondriacs...or everyone is traveling to some tough areas.

I am a pretty adventurous traveler...but the mosquito thing is what really worries me because of my tendency to get bit all the time.

My doctor cannot give me the shots because she is affiliated with MGH...and their Trop Disease clinic takes everything.

Sad...sad....sad. I am waiting to hear back from Brigham and Women's-- they are trying to squeeze me in.

Good luck to you!

YOU NEED SHOTS ?? OMG i have never had them when going to SE asia!!!! my friend is also very prone to mossie bits but just uses anti- histamines

PMG-try Mt. Auburn Travel Clinic in beautiful Cambridge. They may be able to see you quickly.

Are you being serious right now?

Gpanda-

Two things:

1. That last post was meant for the poster who was shocked you needed shots for Asia.

2.Thank you for Mt. Auburn. I just called them and left a message...we shall see!

I have been told that Japanese Encephilitis will not take affect (You need three) so...even if I get in...that is a slight risk. Also, believe this-- RABIES VACCINE IS UNAVAILABLE; has been that way for months.

Boggles the mind.

we too are in boston and go to the beth isreal travel clinic....they might help you or the department of public health....MA dept.....

you should come to our Fodors GTG in cambridge on oct 11.....lots of asia and europe types there...its fun....if interested send me a [email protected]

Beth Israel, when I spoke to them earlier, gave out their last appt until Sept. 10th this morning.

We shall see...I am pounding away. If it fails...i will head to Italy, Croatia, or Turkey. Been all over Europe for the most part but for those.

I WILL DEFINITELY consider coming to that event. It is the first week I start work...but I should be able to make it. I will e-mail you once I straighten this all out.

PM, I seriously don't think you need to worry about Japanese Encephalitis, unless you're planning on farming in remote rural areas of SE Asia while on your vacation :)

Seriously, though--it's not something I would necessarily worry about having. I don't know many who have gotten that vaccination even with months of preparation.

Just make sure you get your first (in a series of 3) Hep shots (which may be fairly ineffective, given the short timeframe), typhoid, diptheria/tetanus and get your malaria pills.

Sounds good. I would tend to agree-- most of my jungle time will be on a trek...one that I havent even looked at yet...but it wouldnt be days on end.

Just heard from Beth Israel that they are contacting the doctor to see if they can squeeze me in.

At least they are trying!

It's true that there has been a shortage of Rabies vaccine for some time. Thailand has some of the best rabies treatment available world-wide. If you get bitten in SE Asia, wash the site thoroughly with soap and water and get yourself to Bangkok ASAP. Do you have med evac insurance?

Cheap, reliable med evac insurance is available by joining Divers Alert Network. www.diversalertnetwork.org
Look for the info under membership, not under insurance. And yes, it covers non-divers.

PS, and Filmwill is right - JE is not for most travelers.

Oops- more - the Hep A will give you some immunity immediately, most immunity is present with 7-10 days, but you do need the series to sustain the immunity.

another possibility is to go to bumbarger hospital (sp) once you arrive in bkk and get some shots there???