Medical Services in Laos
Staying Healthy During Your Trip
Prevent Insect Bites: Many diseases, like malaria and dengue, are spread through insect bites.
Be Careful about Food and Water: Diseases from food and water are the leading cause of illness in travellers. Follow these tips for safe eating and drinking:
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially before eating. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand gel (with at least 60% alcohol)
• Drink only bottled or boiled water, or carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans or bottles.
• Make sure food is fully cooked.
Avoid Injuries: Car and motor bike accidents are a leading cause of injury among travellers. Protect yourself from these injuries by:
• Not drinking and driving
• Wearing your seat belt
• Wearing helmets when you ride bikes, motorcycles, and motor bikes
• Avoiding night driving especially in rural areas where farm animals are often asleep on the roads.
Other Health Tips
• To avoid animal bites and serious diseases (including rabies and plague) do not handle or pet animals, especially dogs and cats, If you are bitten or scratched, wash the wound immediately with soap and water and seek medical attention to determine if medication or anti-rabies vaccine is needed.
• To avoid infections such as HIV and viral hepatitis do not share needles for tattoos, body piercing, or injections.
• To reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases always use latex condoms.
• To prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry.
We wish you a safe and healthy stay in Laos.
Read also: