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Laos Health InformationLaos Travel Plan has tried to provide the most accurate Laos health information. However, we strongly suggest that you contact the appropriate medical authorities for the latest health related information for your destination.Laos is a tropical country and therefore there's a higher risk of contracting illnesses. A tropical climate, with its warm and wet surroundings, is a perfect breeding ground for pathogens. Although the risk of illness shouldn't be exaggerated and shouldn't prevent you from enjoying your trip, we suggest proper preparation and risk awareness while travelling in Laos. You can build your own Laos trip using our bite-sized Laos tours. Need a little inspiration? Take a look at our ready-made Laos holidays. |
Laos health information: Before you travelIf you are on medication, be sure to bring along the patient information leaflet aswell as extra medication so that you won't have to worry about finding a pharmacy if you do lose any. If applicable, you may also want to bring along a clean set of syringes and needles, however, remember to bring along a doctor's statement for these as well.If you wear glasses or lenses, bring along the optician's description or an extra pair of glasses or lenses. Divers and snorkellers can purchase or rent goggles at diving shops/ schools. Be sure to contact your local GP or travel clinic before your departure. Arranging a last minute trip to Laos shouldn't be a problem for a healthy person. Be sure to always bring along your vaccination documents, if you have these. Of course, it's best to arrange vaccinations well before departure if at all possible. Websites: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk www.tripprep.com |
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Laos health information: MalariaThe following Laos health information is intended for healthy, non-pregnant travellers who are visiting Laos for less than one month. We also recommend that you seek up-to-date information for your own travel situation.Malaria There is a risk of contracting Malaria in Laos all year round, especially beyond the larger cities. It's therefore very important to limit the risk of contracting Malaria by taking preventative measures such as taking Malaria medication. Other preventative measures are: covering arms, legs and feet in the evening, wearing mosquito repellent and using mosquito-netting to keep mosquitoes at bay. You can also saturate the mosquito-netting with a mosquito repellent. Be sure to bring something to hang your mosquito-netting up with such as rope and a screw-hook or cork-screw (Swiss army knife). The type of Malaria medication you'll take depends on the length of your stay, your personal medical background and the area that you wish to visit. Advice on Malaria medication is quite personal; therefore it's best to get advice about your personal situation from your GP or travel health clinic. |
Laos health information: VaccinationsDengue and Japanese B-encephalitis: These are both illnesses which are spread by mosquitoes; therefore you should take the same precautions to ward of infection as you would for Malaria. There is no vaccine for Dengue; however there is a vaccine for Japanese B-encephalitis. Vaccination is recommended if you are planning on staying in Asia for more than 6 months.DTP: Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio. These vaccinations are advised for most countries beyond Europe, the vaccination is active valid for 10 years. Hepatitis A: Choose from either short or long-term protection; long-term protection is valid for 10 years. Stomach Typhoid Fever: This vaccination is advised by medical authorities if you decide to stay in Laos for longer than 2 weeks. The vaccination is valid for 3 years. Please note: Besides reading this information, please be sure that you seek up-to-date medical advice in order to ensure that you receive the correct vaccinations. It's also important to try to be as healthy as possible prior to departure. Of course you'll also want to avoid becoming ill while you are on holiday, so remain vigilant about your health and when in doubt, consult a doctor. |
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Laos health information: Jetlag The common traveller's 'ailment' known as "Jet lag" is caused by a disruption to your biological clock (primarily your sleeping and waking rhythms) due to flying through different time zones. The body needs time to adjust to the new biorhythm for the first few days after your flight. During this time you can feel tired and irritable. Try to avoid drinking coffee or alcohol during the flight or do so in limited amounts. On arrival, try not to demand too much of your body for the first couple of days. It's also best to adjust to the time-difference and the new sleeping rhythm as quickly as possible. We recommend an hours sleep after arrival and then remaining awake until (early) bedtime.It can also help to have a Thai massage after a long flight. Since a Thai massage is done with clothes on, you'll want to wear comfortable clothing. |
Laos health information: DiarrhoeaA change of rhythm, climate and food can cause your stomach to become out of sorts. As long as your only symptom is loose, watery stools, you should be just fine if you rest a bit and drink plenty of water in small quantities. It may be necessary to take some Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) dissolved in water to prevent dehydration and this is especially important for the elderly and children. Drugs, such as loperamide and diphenoxylate, can be taken when on the road to prevent diarrhoea (not suitable for children under two years old). These drugs prevent the peristaltic action of the intestine, which stops stomach cramps and suppresses the diarrhoea. However, you should only use these drugs when you're on the road and do not have regular access to a toilet. If diarrhoea persists for more than 48 hours and is also accompanied by headache, vomiting, or blood in the stool (or if you’re taking any other medication at the time), you should contact a doctor. Diarrhoea can end suddenly, but can leave a lingering feeling of lethargy. |
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Laos health information: Preventing DiarrhoeaWhen travelling in Laos, only consume water and soft drinks from properly closed and sealed tins or bottles, or drink boiled water; such as tea or coffee. It's also best to avoid ice cubes. Fruit juice is safe, provided no water has been added. Food (particularly meat and fish) must be well cooked. It's not always safe to eat from street stalls, so if you do, try to eat where it's busy. This is because the time between food preparation and consumption is short, which is good for hygiene.Take note of how the plates, glasses and cutlery are washed. There is often no running water and only a bucket with soap in it, baking in the sun. If that is the case, it's sensible to find somewhere else to eat. Restaurants where you can see how clean it is are recommended. With regards to street stalls, it’s probably smart not to eat meat at the end of the day; the meat can sometimes have been lying around all day un-refrigerated. A tried and trusted housewife's remedy to prevent dehydration during diarrhoea is to drink cola and bouillon (not at the same time). Cola can be bought everywhere and you can bring stock cubes and a single-cup beverage with you from the UK. |
Laos health information: Additional tipsSkin care: Take all cuts, scratches etc in the tropics seriously. Make sure you clean them with disinfectant, keep them covered with a plaster during the day and try not to scratch mosquito bites.Sun care: Always use a high factor sunscreen cream on exposed skin, even in the rainy season. Snorkelling with a T-shirt and shorts is not unusual. The sun is super strong at the equator, even if it's cloudy. Sunstroke: This can be prevented by wearing a hat, and sunglasses. Always keep a bottle of water with you, especially if you're in the wilderness and unlikely to come across drinking water. If you suspect sunstroke (feeling light-headed, headaches), you can prevent it from getting worse by drinking water and finding somewhere in the shade to sit and stay there, if possible. Insects: You can avoid attracting biting insects, by not wearing brightly coloured or black clothing, strong perfume or deodorant or aftershave (try to avoid resembling a flower). It you’re prone to skin irritations, wear cotton or linen clothing. You can help avoid prickly heat by using talcum powder on your body after your morning shower. Ticks: During the dry season, in the woods, there’s a slight chance that a tick may land on you (though in European woods there is a far greater chance). Check your body for these bugs in the morning and evening; especially behind the knees and in the crotch. Should you find one, don't try to just pull it out, use tick pincers (obtainable from chemists) or seek medical attention. If, after being in the woods, you find a bloody circular skin wound, slowly increasing in size, seek professional medical attention. Hygiene: Wash or disinfect your hands after using the toilet, and don't bite your nails. |
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Laos health information: When you return home
If you have a fever, bowel problems or other physical complaints after you return home (up to several months after your return home), contact your doctor and let them know you've been in Laos and inform them of the length of your stay and what you've done there. If you've spent a lot of time with the local population you should have a Mantoux or TBC test done.
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