In Thailand, antibiotics are handed out like candy: a pill for every ailment, no prescription required. No one thinks about the disastrous consequences for the microbiome or the growing resistance. As bacteria grow stronger, the population becomes dependent on pills that were once supposed to be our last resort. A medicine party with a dark edge.
The Thai Healthcare System (Reader Submission)
During our recent stay in Thailand, my wife and I faced several health issues. While I recovered quickly from a cold, my wife required more medical care. Her treatment included multiple injections and bags full of medications. This brought us to the conclusion that in Thailand treatment is only taken seriously with injections and many medications.
Question to GP Maarten: I have a bladder infection but I cannot just take any antibiotics
I arrived in Bangkok a few days ago. And I'm afraid I have a bladder infection. Now I went to a pharmacy for a test to see to what extent it really is a bladder infection and whether I should take a course of antibiotics. She immediately wanted to give me antibiotics, but due to an operation on my stomach I can't just take anything.
Question to GP Maarten: Severe stomach pain, followed by pain in my esophagus after antibiotics
A few weeks ago I started experiencing severe itching in the back of my right leg. The skin began to peel, similar to after sunburn. Vaseline brought some relief. The itching has now disappeared, but my doctor says I have a skin infection. He prescribed me Clindamycin.
Acute diarrhea in Thailand
Under normal sanitary conditions, acute diarrhea is already a common problem in Thailand and with the current polluted water from the floods, the number of cases will increase dramatically in the coming weeks.
I am 78 years old and in good health for my age. On June 4th you wrote about a combination of ofloxacin and cefixime. The questioner mentioned the name of CEFPLAN in Thailand but I can't find it. Is this the correct spelling and are there possibly other equivalent combinations to be found in Thailand?
Question to general practitioner Maarten: Can you switch to another antibiotic halfway through the course?
Can you switch from one antibiotic to another halfway through the course? In this case from Ofloxacin to Cefplan.
Probably bitten by a tick a few days ago. There is a red circle around the bite. The circle is not equally clear everywhere. Went to the local doctor's office who wanted to give me an ointment. I've only seen that.
I am 67 and no 'normal' complaints, healthy and exercise enough. I have been suffering from bad smelling sweaty feet for about ten days, never had this problem in my life.
I have a large amount of antibiotic pills left and cannot return them to the hospital. Is there an organization where I can donate this in Bangkok? Has a value of around 10.000 baht and think it would be a shame to throw it away. This is Cravit 750.
Experts are concerned about overuse of antibiotics in Thailand
Health experts are urging less use of antibiotics as the number of resistant infections is on the rise. The country has 80.000 AMR (antimicrobial resistance) cases per year, leading to longer hospital stays, a higher mortality rate and economic damage of 40 billion baht.
I have type 2 diabetes and take Metformin daily for this. I have been given levoflaxacin antibiotics for ocrhitis (inflammation of the testes). However, I read on the leaflet that it can be dangerous with diabetes medication. Does Metformin also belong to the group of medications for which it is not advisable to take Levofloxacin?
Ask general practitioner Maarten: Can you get sick by breathing in the sewage air, an update
Since last Friday I'm staying in the hospital because of a severe lung infection due to… sewage gas. Given the diversity of “sewage bacteria” in my lungs, I have to stay here for at least another 10 days, the first group of bacteria has disappeared, so that the intense fever that is difficult to combat with paracetamol is now also gone.
Hundreds of rivers worldwide contain worrying concentrations of antibiotics, according to research by the University of York, England. River water samples were taken at 711 locations in 72 countries. Antibiotics have been found in most of them. The permitted level was exceeded at 111 locations, in some cases by as much as 300 percent.
Can you clarify the following: I know that you can get side effects from antibiotics, such as intestinal complaints and nausea. I have swallowed a lot, but the last treatment is already 8 months ago. Can these side effects still occur so long after use? Since I got so many strange problems in a row and it wasn't really clear what exactly I had, you immediately think of the worst.
Antibiotics without a prescription for sale in Thailand
My Thai girlfriend buys antibiotics without a prescription from the pharmacy department in the supermarket in Bangkok. A leaflet is not even supplied with it. She also does not finish the course. She will stop when she feels better. I was shocked by this, especially because of possible resistance. Very dangerous. Is there no organization in Thailand that pays attention to this?
Australian researchers find deadly 'superbug'
Researchers at the University of Melbourne have discovered a 'superbug'. These are three variants that are resistant to all existing antibiotics.
Today I had my ears cleaned in a hospital on Koh Samui because my hearing was getting worse and there was water in it. They turned out to be quite dirty. The doctor said that there was some damage in my ears and that I now have to take antibiotics for 5 days. Is that necessary Martin? I only take antibiotics if there really is no other way, because the negative effects are also there. That good bacteria are also killed.
Increasing antibiotic resistance in Thai pork
The Thai consumer association (Foundation for Consumers) asks the government to take strong measures against the problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in meat. The consumer association is shocked by the discovery of antibiotic residues in pork sold on fresh markets.
'Unsafe pork causes unrest among the population'
There has been concern among Thais after reports that eating pork could be dangerous because the animals would have antibiotic-resistant genes.
Some people prefer to let the natural defense system take its course as much as possible. I belong to that too. So when I got a bladder infection, I didn't immediately resort to antibiotics, but limited myself to supporting the healing process with a daily mega dose of vitamin C.
Antibiotic resistance, a dangerous development
Thais consider a doctor who prescribes a lot of pills a good doctor. Those who go to the hospital for a pain or a cough often come back with a bag full of medicines. Still, prescribing a lot of drugs is not a good thing. And certainly when it comes to antibiotics, which people in Thailand are also quite generous with.