A sketch on how to treat a cold on your own and what medicines you can buy in Thailand if there is no insurance, or for one reason or another you don't want to go to the hospital.
I had a moment when I collapsed with a fever, a sore throat and a runny nose. I came to Ayutthaya to see the ancient temples, and ended up spending two days in a hotel. True, I still managed to ride a bike through the historical park on the day of arrival, but it was hard, especially in the evening, when everything began to swim in front of my eyes. I rode and thought how not to fall into complete prostration, on a bike it is dangerous. Returning to the hotel, I fell on my bed and lay all night. It's a pity I didn't take the thermometer, I wonder what the temperature was.
The content of the article
- one How I treated a cold in Thailand
- 2 How to find an analogue of a medicine
- 3 What medicines can be bought in Thailand
How I treated a cold in Thailand
I didn't really have any medicine with me, I left everything with the basic things in a rented house, and this was a small trip for a couple of weeks to the north of the country. Medical insurance was (I highly recommend always having it), but I decided not to contact, wait a day.
My Insurance Rating for Thailand>
So I crawled out to the market, since he was right next to me, and bought myself lime and ginger, and in the nearest minimarket 7/11 I took cough drops and Thai cold balm (Tiffirub). This simple kit got me to my feet very quickly. I know that all this was not a treatment, but rather a relief of symptoms, but nevertheless, this was enough for me to endure my poor condition, and a day later I realized that I was on the mend, which means that I don't have to go to the doctor in the hospital ... There were also brown balls in my set (something like mukaltin), they were advised to me, but IMHO this is superfluous.
From left to right: throat lozenges, eucalyptus ointment for colds, mucaltin-type balls
And one moment. I hardly ate anything all day, I didn't feel like it. He only drank water in large quantities on the first night, and later drank water and tea from ginger and lime in liters. In this regard, I, of course, was lucky, since I had a mini-kettle with me, I didn't have to go anywhere for a drink. By the way, many believe that abstaining from food and drinking plenty of fluids is a good way to get back on your feet quickly. But this is not a recommendation, you yourself see how this affects you. It doesn't always work for me either..
Naturally, if something serious happened to you, then, of course, it is better to go to the doctor. Actually, I would have gone too, if it had not been easier. I recommend not to delay.
How to find an analogue of a medicine
I repeat once again, it is very desirable to have travel insurance, do not self-medicate, especially when it comes to children. And, if you see that after 1-2 days it does not get any easier, go to the hospital, even if there is no insurance. Let me remind you that the medicine in the hospital will be given to you immediately after taking it, you will not need to go and buy them yourself.
You should look for Thai analogues of the drugs you need on the MIMS website for the active ingredient. First of all, you will need to register on it, otherwise the search will not be available. During registration, the site will ask a few questions, do not be alarmed, it is simply intended for doctors and specialists. By and large, it doesn't matter what you choose there, I indicated Patient and Not Applicable.
Next, find the required drug in Russian on the Internet. Look again on the Internet for instructions for it and see the composition. The main substance will be indicated there in Russian or English. If in Russian, then translate the title into English. Suppose we need the antibiotic Augmentin, which is popular for children. In 10 seconds we find the active ingredients: Amoxicillin and Clavulanic acid.
Found the active ingredient
There are two of them in this antibiotic, it happens, and Amoxicillin is the main one (there are only antibiotics with it). You can punch each one, or you can punch two at once as a request «Amoxicillin Clavulanic acid». As a result, you will get a list of local names.
How to find medicines in Thailand
If you look through the list, you will see that this antibiotic in Thailand has at least the same names (Amoksiklav, Amoxicillin, Augmentin) and a number of others. This also happens if a company decides to go on sale with the same brand. Further, with these names, you can safely go to the pharmacy. By ear, Thais will not really perceive them, but if you write on a piece of paper, it will be easier. If the pharmacy is large, then they can punch through the database on a computer by entering the name. In small ones, it remains to be hoped that the Thai will know what it is about.
If the city is large, then the pharmacy can speak English and you will be able to explain in words what is happening to you. As a last resort, you will have to express yourself with gestures. I bought medicines in Thailand more than once and, if not in the first pharmacy, then in the neighboring one, they understood me. To portray a cough and say an international word «baby» everyone can.
What medicines can be bought in Thailand
It is easier to initially bring basic medicines from Russia in your first-aid kit (example of my first aid kit). Especially, this is true for traveling with children, in order to give them something familiar and smear them with something familiar, and not local. Or, if you need any specific drugs, you need to take these with you anyway..
Below are photos of certain medicines that can be found in Thailand. Something is available only in the pharmacy, something can be bought in the usual 7-eleven minimarket. Pronouncing the names of a Thai does not always make sense, and it is easier to show pictures.
Amoksiklav, Amoxicillin, Augmentin - antibiotic Augmentin / Amoxiclav
Azytromicyn - Sumamed antibiotic
Salin - saline
Iodine in Thailand
Tiffirub and Vaporub - Thai menthol balms
Thai menthol and camphor inhalers
Dimin - against motion sickness in any transport
Loperamide for diarrhea
Glycerin candles for children from constipation in Thailand
Antibiotic Augmentin in Thailand
iliadin - an analogue of our Nazivin, from nasal congestion
There are different brands of rehydron analog in Thailand. Can be called electrolyte powder, also sold in 7-eleven.
Rehydron analogue - drink when dehydrated
An ordinary medical mask, almost useless, but still
Unfortunately, I took the photographs when I returned to Russia, so many Thai medicines were not at hand..
Here are a few more medicines that you may need for colds, nasal congestion, coughing, high fever, as an anesthetic (not mine).
It is important to know that due to the spread of such a disease in Thailand like dengue fever, antipyretics and pain relievers are sold mainly with paracetamol. Aspirin or ibuprofen and medicines containing them, do not drink with dengue!
Makham Pom Cough is an emblic syrup (Indian gooseberry) with a pronounced expectorant effect, an effective remedy for colds, coughs, bronchitis:
Makham pom cough
Antipyretic for children with paracetamol syrup
SaRa - children's antipyretic with paracetamol syrup, comes in different flavors, found in 7-eleven stores:
SaRa - antipyretic for children
Kamillosan - natural chamomile-based throat spray
Tylenol - antipyretic and pain reliever
Tiger Balm - Star Balm
Isodine Spray - spray for gargling
Decolgen - helps with the onset of a cold
Gofen - pain reliever
A few more drugs you may need.
Wind with dust, sun, pool water can hurt your eyes. Thai eye drops:
Opsar - drops for eyes, relieve irritation and fatigue, analog of Vizin
Scratches and abrasions in tropical climates are best treated immediately so that there is no inflammation and infection. In addition to the powder indicated below, the healing ointment Bepanten is sold in pharmacies in Thailand (it looks the same as in Russia, only the letters are Thai, but the name sounds identical) and Baneocyne powder in a yellow-green package (in Russia this drug is called Baneocin).
Pises Powder - antiseptic powder, like streptocide
In case of mild poisoning and minor stomach problems, you can drink activated charcoal (in case of severe poisoning, it is better to immediately consult a doctor).
Activated carbon charcoal - activated carbon
Absorbent for poisoning
