Diphtheria cases reported in Loei & Udon Thani

[tutone]

Guys, I've read all the news on Diptheria, plus the opinions on the Health page here, and I still can't decide. Seems like there are 2 people who came down with Diptheria in Loei. School kids. Someone said there have been 3 cases here in Udon, but may not be true. I looked up the CDC website in America. They said diptheria is rare as polio in America. Said the reason to get a shot is because if everyone doesn't, cases will grow. They recommend everyone get a shot. My wife says she's never been immunized. I can't remember if I have. In general, I'd rather skip getting jabs as probably not all that pleasant an experience. But I hear diptheria is less pleasant, with shortness of breathe and death possible. Any thoughts?

Get the shot. A booster is recommended by the CDC every ten years. If you can't remember then you probably need one. My Thai wife says there are cases of diptheria around Non Soong where we live. It's free and painless (unless you have a needle phobia). Also it is for tetanus. I declined because had booster 5 years ago. It may be rare in America, but you are in Thailand. If you have no health reasons for not getting vaccinated, then you should take advantage of the free shot offered here.

[trubrit]

Just a personal observation. Watching the Thais queuing to have their injections in case they get infected and die, then riding off on their motorcycles without a helmet on .I wonder which has the highest mortality rate.? :-"

[FrazeeDK]

the health folks showed up at the Wat behind our house yesterday and well over a hundred villagers showed up to get the shots... The wife got one since she can't resist a freebie,

[KB_Texas]

Just a personal observation. Watching the Thais queuing to have their injections in case they get infected and die, then riding off on their motorcycles without a helmet on .I wonder which has the highest mortality rate.? :-"

heh, and driving with only one arm.

[KB_Texas]

They are still calling people here in Nongsamrong...called 60 so far.

KB

[parrot]

tb....getting a dp shot doesn't mess up your hair....and if you get a dp shot, you don't get dp. Wearing a helmet.....you mess up your hair and you might still have an accident.

It's like playing the lottery. If you don't play, you'll never win!

[udonmum]

Just heard about this today from some European friends - after getting back from a trip to Loei of all places - they said some medical staff had come to their office to tell them all to come and get the free vaccine at the local clinic. Thai hubby hadn't heard anything but after a few to family it turned out they all knew about it and had had the vaccination or were going to. Quite strange that none of them had called him as they usually call about the slightest thing (esp as we have a 4yr old) do we only knew because of our friends!!
Anyway we had our jabs though our son apparently didn't need it as he had all the vaccinations when he was a baby (i took his medical records with us to rhe clinic)so is still protected (he's actually due the age 4-6 booster so is having that next week but combined with two other things (can't remember off top of my head). I might have had it 6yrs ago when I first came to Thailand but they said it doesn't matter if you repeat it and it wears off after about 10yrs anyway.

[pienmash]

Good turn out for the shot at Nong Sim ,,, target ages were 14 to 45 if i understood reet ,, my son went but was told wasnt old enuff at 12 ,, i went and told em i was 48 so wasnt in the age range ,,they didint believe me and said i only looked 30 ,,,,, nice nurse as well obviously needs her eye checked out ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, as i only look 29 !!!!!!!!.

[KB_Texas]

when he was a baby (i took his medical records with us to rhe clinic)so is still protected (he's actually due the age 4-6 booster so is having that next week but combined with two other things (can't remember off top of my head).

Probably DPT (Diphtheria, Pertussis (whopping cough), Tetanus)

I might have had it 6yrs ago when I first came to Thailand but they said it doesn't matter if you repeat it and it wears off after about 10yrs anyway.

It does not really wear off in 10 years, it just becomes less effective. Your body will remember invaders for quite a while. The 10 year suggestion is to maintain the highest level of immunity.

KB

[mortiboy]

No ! Its a virus going round.
Dont know a lot but the missus said mobile clinic visiting places and giving jabs.
I had a virus of all viruses.Coughs take my breath away. Had anti biotics, ..... Did nothing.
Just cleared up now 5 weeks!

[bluejets]

Normally,if you get a virus of any kind ,there is next to nothing they can do about it directly. Antibiotics definetely do nothing to kill it off so I was told by a local hospital here in Aus.

Reason they give a jab or some other medicine is, while the body is having a rough time, to ensure other bugs that can be held back with antibiotics, do not get a hold and also bring you down.

Apparently your own system will eventually kill the virus off and as noted ,it can take a few weeks.

[Miruku]

I was told many years ago that nobody has ever killed a virus, but when the experts do (probably accidentally like the discovery of antibiotics) at some time in the future, they will cure the common cold, herpes, HIV, some cancers etc etc. Until then the viruses can only run their course while the medicos relieve the symptoms.

Miruku

[Dudde]

I didn't realy understand what kind of vaccin they were giving the people first, but my gf just said i should take it, hey it's free why not
It wasnt until i saw the bottle i knew what it was, i already had taken the vaccin and a booster shot, but a second shot should'nt hurt right?

[bumper]

The shots will be given in First Homes on November 12th up to 800 P.M., sponsored by the City of Nong Bua.

I have no idea what time they will start

[Zidane]

When I returned home from "Curry Thursday" at the Clock they were doing diptheria shots on our estate.
Age group 14-45 ?? Nobody asked my age,so I guess it must be true that Rogan Josh and Tiger beer makes you look younger !

[milkman]

Guy, my wife still isn't sure. The question seems to come down to: Is anyone in Udon actually getting diptheria? If not, she doesn't want to as she doesn't enjoy shots.

As for me, I'm 62 and wonder why they seem to have a cutoff at 45 for giving shots. Anybody know why?

[bumper]

Do your own research on it. I was hit at 38 for an age I insisted on the shot and I got it. Google it may not match what you were told. Granny at the farm is in her 80's they gave it to her.

[parrot]

milkman,
Short answers to your questions:
Yes, someone in Udon (Kumphuwaphi) has been diagnosed with diphtheria. There may be other cases, but I came across this one with a quick google search of Thai news
http://breakingnews.nationchannel.com/h ... &cat=&key=

pienmash reported "target ages were 14 to 45 if i understood reet "......I suspect he didn't understood reet" as my wife and I and several other obviously-over-45-villagers all got the shot last night at the local health office. No questions about age.

[rick]

In Nong Nalam today doing shots for those between 7-50. guess whatever the local team feels is 'right'. I got a booster 4 years ago before coming to thailand so don't need it (lasts 10 years).

[KB_Texas]

Guy, my wife still isn't sure. The question seems to come down to: Is anyone in Udon actually getting diptheria? If not, she doesn't want to as she doesn't enjoy shots.

As for me, I'm 62 and wonder why they seem to have a cutoff at 45 for giving shots. Anybody know why?

It is my understanding (and could be wrong) that they use two different vaccines. The ones being given for ages 6-45 is the two shot DTP I think (1 shot now, and a booster in 30 days), and the shot for 'older' folks is a one shot TD, to be given next month. Again, this is 'parsed' from Thai through my wife and her sister, and research on the types of vaccine, so how correct it is I do not know.

And yes, there are reported cases of diphtheria in UT.

KB