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True, rest plus drink a lot.
Except in serious cases, then you will get intravenous fluid therapy (or even plasma/blood transfusions as a last resort).
But if your case is that serious I can tell you that you won't fly anywhere...
If it is getting worse and worse it is time to hit a hospital.
For me the point came when I started loosing consciousness (along with other symptoms of course) as soon as I got up. That's when I went to the hospital - lying down in a cab, I was still somewhat ok when lying down.
Old stuff from WHO, but still informative:
http://www.searo.who.int/LinkFiles/Dengue_Guideline-dengue.pdf
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Consider very seriously leaving LP right now, and going to Bangkok, where you can convert your untreated maybe-dengue into either treated dengue or treated something-else. Or stay in LP and risk converting it into unknown-cause-of-demise.
Not much to make you feel better, but they can certainly run IV Ringer's or even a blood transfusion if that's what's necessary to keep your next of kin from feeling bad.
Do some math here. I'm guessing that one person in 20 is usually some elderly or immune-compromised person. Let's say as an healthy Westerner, your odds are 1 in 200. Let's say you value your life at $10,000,000.
Staying in Laos and risking that 1-in-200 shot of losing your $10,000,000 life is like paying $50,000 outright. There's $120 RT flight to BKK tomorrow.
That's not quite right. Only a small proportion of people with dengue fever develop into the dangerous dengue hemorrhagic fever, which require treatment.
The majority of cases does never get nor need any treatment, they experience only mild symptoms.
Among those who do develop dengue hemorrhagic fever mortality rate is 1-5%; it is however usually only the weak who die, old people and - the majority - children.
But certainly it is better to get closer to good health care facilities and do a second check-up - in particular as the doctors in LP were not able to specify the illness. Another blood check in Bangkok or one of the hospitals in Vientiane mentioned avove won't break the bank anyway.
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In LPB the best advice availavble is from the lady in the pharmacy opposite the prmary schoolin the main street ... Her English is excellent ... she is level headed and she knows her stuff .... go see her
I'm feeling much better on day4
Medical care in Laos, including Vientiane is extremely basic. Facilities in rural areas are often non existent. Serious cases should be referred directly to suitable hospitals in Thailand. The Ambulance services in Laos are ill equipped and may not always be available to respond to Emergencies.
The Australian Embassy in Vientiane operates a Family General Practice clinic located on Thadeua Road within the Embassy building itself. The Embassy Clinic is similar to many General Practices in Australia and is one of only six clinics that The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has established in Asia and the Pacific. The Primary role of the Clinic is to provide medical services for the Australian Embassy staff and their families. The clinic has a small pharmacy and pathology department.
Australian Citizens who require medical attention are able to access the clinic on a fee for service basis during office hours.
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Dengue feverd
I had a blood test in Luang Prabang last night after coming down with fever. They said 'not malaria, similar to dengue but not sure.' I want a second opinion. But does anybody know if it is safe to fly. During the night my symptons are bad but during the day they are ok.1
It is safe to fly. I suggest you get to Vientiane and go and see the Dr at the French clinic or the drs at the Australian clinic, of the foreigners' section at the Sethattirth hospital as quickly as possible. Dengue can be nasty; unfortunately there is not much you can do about it except rest.2
If your fever is above 100 you will be detected at the Bangkok airport at immigration and sent to hospital for test...5
- unfortunately there is not much you can do about it except rest.
True, rest plus drink a lot.
Except in serious cases, then you will get intravenous fluid therapy (or even plasma/blood transfusions as a last resort).
But if your case is that serious I can tell you that you won't fly anywhere...
If it is getting worse and worse it is time to hit a hospital.
For me the point came when I started loosing consciousness (along with other symptoms of course) as soon as I got up. That's when I went to the hospital - lying down in a cab, I was still somewhat ok when lying down.
Old stuff from WHO, but still informative:
http://www.searo.who.int/LinkFiles/Dengue_Guideline-dengue.pdf
+++++
6
Untreated dengue fever has a mortality rate of about 5%. 1 in 20.Consider very seriously leaving LP right now, and going to Bangkok, where you can convert your untreated maybe-dengue into either treated dengue or treated something-else. Or stay in LP and risk converting it into unknown-cause-of-demise.
unfortunately there is not much you can do about it except rest.
Not much to make you feel better, but they can certainly run IV Ringer's or even a blood transfusion if that's what's necessary to keep your next of kin from feeling bad.
Do some math here. I'm guessing that one person in 20 is usually some elderly or immune-compromised person. Let's say as an healthy Westerner, your odds are 1 in 200. Let's say you value your life at $10,000,000.
Staying in Laos and risking that 1-in-200 shot of losing your $10,000,000 life is like paying $50,000 outright. There's $120 RT flight to BKK tomorrow.
8
- Untreated dengue fever has a mortality rate of about 5%. 1 in 20.
That's not quite right. Only a small proportion of people with dengue fever develop into the dangerous dengue hemorrhagic fever, which require treatment.
The majority of cases does never get nor need any treatment, they experience only mild symptoms.
Among those who do develop dengue hemorrhagic fever mortality rate is 1-5%; it is however usually only the weak who die, old people and - the majority - children.
But certainly it is better to get closer to good health care facilities and do a second check-up - in particular as the doctors in LP were not able to specify the illness. Another blood check in Bangkok or one of the hospitals in Vientiane mentioned avove won't break the bank anyway.
++++++
9
I have just left LPB and was very sick for a day ortwo ... presumed food poisonong but was told by a local that there is a nasty virus about ..... much worse in PM .... do not go to a hospital in Laos if you don't get any better ... get to BKKIn LPB the best advice availavble is from the lady in the pharmacy opposite the prmary schoolin the main street ... Her English is excellent ... she is level headed and she knows her stuff .... go see her
I'm feeling much better on day4
10
i have been to the hospital in Nong Khai when i had a fever and they did blood tests. cheap. if you are really concerned go to Khon Kaen or Udon Thani. BKK is great but no need to go that far to see if you have dengue.12
Personally I would be happy to fly back to Vientiane and be treated here. You don't need to go to Bumrumgrad.13
From the advice pages of the Smart Traveller website:Medical care in Laos, including Vientiane is extremely basic. Facilities in rural areas are often non existent. Serious cases should be referred directly to suitable hospitals in Thailand. The Ambulance services in Laos are ill equipped and may not always be available to respond to Emergencies.
The Australian Embassy in Vientiane operates a Family General Practice clinic located on Thadeua Road within the Embassy building itself. The Embassy Clinic is similar to many General Practices in Australia and is one of only six clinics that The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has established in Asia and the Pacific. The Primary role of the Clinic is to provide medical services for the Australian Embassy staff and their families. The clinic has a small pharmacy and pathology department.
Australian Citizens who require medical attention are able to access the clinic on a fee for service basis during office hours.
