Dr. Vorapot Discusses Bangkok's Dengue Dangers [Season 3, Episode 68]

Dengue infections are off the chart this year, and it pays
to know the dangers. Do you? ARE YOU SURE?


Greg interviews Dr. Vorapot, an expert in travel medicine
and in particular tropical diseases such as dengue fever. Greg
and Dr. V review the scary data on the increases in dengue cases
in Thailand, noting that different types of mosquitoes breed in
different environments. Luckily, the type that carries malaria
tends to breed in clean water in the jungle, but other types can
breed in cities such as Bangkok, especially during the rainy
season. 


Dr. V goes through the stages of dengue fever infection.
Surprisingly, about 90% of dengue infections result in little or
no symptoms, but about 10% of people suffer serious effects. A
further complication is that sometimes later exposure to dengue
can result in more serious consequences, and the dengue vaccine
itself must be carefully administered to not put patients in a
more vulnerable state. Dr. V also reviews the symptoms of dengue
fever, which unfortunately can mimic the symptoms of other viral
infections. 


Last, the good doctor runs through a great mnemonic device
to help prepare you for many tropical diseases. Listen in to get
some great advice that might keep you out of trouble while
travelling in Thailand. 


As always, the podcast will continue to be
100% funded by listeners just like you who get
some special swag from us. And we'll keep our
Facebook, Twitter,
and LINE accounts active so you can
send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to
share.