Travel South East Asia : What Medicines to Bring When Traveling?

Medicine Travel Kit: 10 things you should not leave home without.

For those who know me, knows that I travel extensively throughout the region of South East Asia. For some westerners this may sound exotic, daunting and challenging….well..it is! And fun too!! Some may think that this part of the world is sooo behind in the healthcare standards that they would need all the vaccinations available in the modern world. If it really bothers you, then go and get yourself pumped up and punctured like Amy Winehouse…but with vaccines….I don’t blame her, apparently she had a fractured skull when she was a late teenager..(read ‘Crack-Head’..)..get the Malaria jabs if you must...

The truth is, if you’re going to visit the main cities of this region, the chances of you getting a Super-Bug is the same as going to your neighbourhood Safeways and Tesco. The world today is such that millions of people move all over the main cities of the world that if there was a super disease mutation break-out like Ebola-X (I made that up..), it can spread to every corner of the world less than 24 hours!! Partly thanks to our superb development in aviation industry. 

 

So here is my advice for travellers to any part of South East Asia. The list of do’s and don’t can go on and on and on depending how fanatical you are about bacteria and viruses. But if in your own home you apply the 5 second rule for food you dropped on to the floor or you tend not to change to fresh underwear daily , then don’t be a pain in the arse about sanitation in Asia, you dirty fool. But in case you are very strict on hygiene….just remember that in Asia the population is close to 3 billion people….we don’t get to be this many if  we are as you may think ‘filthy and infested with germs and all sorts of yuck’….. 

So, this is what I have in my medicine bag:

1. Prescribed Medicine

If you are already taking whatever prescribed medicine for e.g. High BP, Cholesterol, Diabetes…Make sure you bring extra just in case you have to extend your stay due to unforseen circumstances such as an 8.9 Richter scale earthquake, 20m Tsunami, you are in hiding because u  made a pass at the Village Head’s “The Biggest Loser’ daughter and forced to marry…If I have to remind you about your own prescribed medicine than my advice to you is to make an appointment  as soon as possible with your local funeral directors….nuff said…

2. Medicine for Common Health problems (temporary)

Pharmaceutical analgesic (pain reliever) and antipyretic (fever reducer) A strong Paracetamol type medicine. In South East Asia the most popular brand is Panadol. 

3. Tummy Ache

This region is famous for its culinary diversity. Unfortunately there are many ingredients only found here, the level of heat may not be tolerable and some food items may be very common for us Asians but poisonous for westerners such as the Tapioca or Cassava leaves which contains Cynide !

My choice of anti-tummy ache are:

Activated Carbon tablets used to treat poisonings and overdoses following oral ingestion. It is thought to bind to poison and prevent its absorption by the gastrointestinal tract.

Chronic Diarrhea medicine like Dhamotil or Lomotil…some people say the purging is to get rid of the bad bug in your tummy….Really? I’ve always thought that the purging is caused by the bug trying to reproduce its baby bugs to survive and spread, like a survival instinct for the bad bug?? Hmmm I always think from a different angle…

I’m sure you can relate to this…. they say love is the best feeling, but I think finding a toilet when you have diarrhea is better!!!! Those who say laughter is the best medicine obviously never heard a great joke while suffering with diarrhea Hahahaa

Ok enough of this shit…

4. Sunblock

To my friends that is sniggering, I don’t use sunblock to keep my complexion fair, I know I am as fair as a Mars Bar to start with…. Sunblock is a lotion, spray, gel or other topical product that absorbs or reflects some of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation on the skin exposed to sunlight and thus helps protect against sunburn. Do you know that the only animal that sunburns are pigs?? I was born in the Chinese year of the pig…and being human, I don’t burn…I roast!!…I’ve seen cases when a tourist was drinking in the sun, passing out, waking up with a face like a burst sausage!

Make sure u know your SPF from your VCD, DVD and MIC, KEY, M.O.U.S.E..

The SPF number on a sunscreen label is typically between 2 and 50. In a laboratory setting, SPF 30 sunscreen absorbs roughly 97% of UVB rays; SPF 15 absorbs about 93%. Yet several real-world factors (perspiration and activity level, your location on the planet, your proximity to light-reflecting water or sand, the time of day) may alter that percentage.

In general, SPF 30 is regarded as a good, all-purpose sunscreen for active people who spend extended time outdoors. Dermatologists commonly recommend a SPF of no less than 15, though 30 is widely accepted as a smart choice for active people who routinely stay outdoors for long periods. (I’m sure you know I just cut and paste that info!!)

5. Hand Sanitizer/ Wet wipes

Antibacterial wet wipes are something I always bring - the advantage of wipes over gel is that you can also clean off your camera, the local pay phone, or whatever else if need be. But if you're going to be on a plane and make sure you don't get everyone else's cold, bring something to wipe your hands with….OK I got this from the internet, most probably written by a paranoid American who thinks Kalamazoo is an attraction in India where animals roam free….the truth is, it really helps when u need to wipe something that’s sticky…who uses pay phones these days??? Duuhhh…..

6. Eucalyptus Oil

This is for Asians….apparently it helps when your nose is blocked or if you have a headache….the most famous brand in Malaysia is called Minyak Chacapaque…

7. Eyedrops

I always have them but hardly use it….the medicated ones that gets rid of the redness of the eyeballs are best during really boring meetings…seriously!!

8. Allergy Medicine

This is a must for me….my favourite brand is Claritin.. Claritin (loratadine) is an antihistamine that reduces the effect of the natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.

Claritin is used to treat the symptoms of seasonal allergies, such as sneezing, watery eyes, and runny nose and itching of the nose and throat. Claritin is also used to treat skin hives and itching in people with chronic skin reactions.

Nothing spoils your holiday than suffering from runny nose and sneezing, its not the best way to blend into the Asian people even though everybody sounds Asian when they sneeze…Ah Choo!...Even worse if you are much older… cause you have to cross your legs to sneeze! Adult diapers are expensive you know…

9. Serious allergies to medications like penicillin should be worn on a med-alert necklace or bracelet or be included on your health insurance card along with blood type..

10. Motion sickness

From Wikipedia: About 33% of people are susceptible to motion sickness even in mild circumstances such as being on a boat in calm water, although nearly 66% of people are susceptible in more severe conditions. Individuals and animals without a functional vestibular system are immune to motion sickness.

Call me naïve but they seem to have the answer to eliminate motion sickness here…get rid of that Vestibular System!! I don’t care if you are from the Dark Side or u need to make a pact with the Klingons….

The most common anti-motion sickness pills are …u can Google it your self….I don’t actually need it unless I get on a boat which I usually avoid….so if I really have to…I’ll go to a pharmacy….yes they do have pharmacies in South East Asia!!!

Last but not least, please get everything in those small travel plastic bottles….airlines, airport security are very strict these days…apparently anyone can be a terrorist according to the CIA, but funny enough they only do 100% security check towards, bearded Asian or Middle Eastern looking men, especially with some sort of head gear or turban with baggy clothes. I thought all the hijackers wore either Jeans or Khaki pants with western shirts??? Is that what the Americans call ‘Military Intelligence’ …go figure

Now if you’re ready with your medi-pack….Let’s Jom !!!!