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owenm

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    I Caught Legionnaires Disease in Pattaya and Almost Died

    in Health and Medicine

    Posted

    I'm aware that Legionnaires can develop anywhere and that's why I felt it unfair to single out a hotel I stayed at, when it may not have been the cause. The health department in Australia was made aware where I stayed, and would notify Thai officials to check it out. CM air quality I thought would be reasonably ok if I considered retirement here. It's certainly not BKK, and I'm sure Melbourne, London, KL, LA wouldn't have air as clean as CM. Allergies aren't an issue for me, but picking up infections are, with my low immune response.

    I Caught Legionnaires Disease in Pattaya and Almost Died

    in Health and Medicine

    Posted

    I think it probably unfair to single out a single hotel I stayed at as the cause, because I visited a brand new shopping centre on Beach Rd several times as well as the older shopping centres, any of which could be the culprit. With my RA I'm on some heavy drugs. Methotrexate, Plaquenil, Arava, and self injection of Humira every fortnight. As well as red krill oil, glucosamine and magnesium. A lot of stuff, which gives me a normal life style, believe it or not. I can walk around for 5-10km a day, no issues with the hot Thai climate, but put me back in Melbourne during winter and certainly not the same. So my immune system is basically stuffed, and I'm sure I could remove half my drugs living in Thailand. Has anyone who has had chronic rheumatoid arthritis, and moved to Thailand to retire as an Expat, got any personal experience as to whether their RA has improved with the warmer climate of Thailand? I'd appreciate any feedback on RA in LOS. Thanks. BTW someone in an earlier feed wanted to know what meds I was on.
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    I Caught Legionnaires Disease in Pattaya and Almost Died

    in Health and Medicine

    Posted

    Having recently returned to Australia, after a holiday in Thailand, was feeling somewhat ill after a few days. Fever, body shakes and just feeling really sick. Nothing like what I've experienced before. I could see a hospital on the horizon. I visited my doctor, with a packed suit case in my car, and he promptly said, you need to go to the hospital, which I did in Melbourne.

    Within 2 hours I was in Intensive Care in an isolation room, on oxygen, my heart beating erratically, and an IV drip of antibiotics. After 4 days in ICU, my condition improved, and I was moved to another isolated room. I received a phone call from the Health Dept advising me that I had Legionnaires Disease and Pneumonia on one lung. Their timeline was June 20 to 22,which I pinpointed to a hotel I stayed at in Pattaya. They would advise Thailand Health Dept for them to investigate.

    After 4 weeks off work, have finally returned, still coughing, which will go in several months once the Pneumonia clears. What made my condition worse was having a low immune system because of my Rheumatoid Arthritis that I've had several years. Doctors have told me that I was very lucky to survive the episode.

    The Nation, last month had an article about Legionnaires Disease outbreaks in Bangkok, and that inspections were randomly taking place. Those hotels and shopping centres that were clean, were being given a Green Air Health certificate.

    What causes Legionnaires Disease? Contaminated water cooling in airconditioning units usually in hotels, cinemas and shopping centres. Can happen in Australia as well, but is rife in Thailand because of laxed regulation in ensuring that they are regularly cleaned and serviced. It can affect anyone, but particularly young and old and anyone with a compromised immune system. But can be a killer, so be aware of its existence. It is around.

    I'm looking at retirement in Chiang Mai next year, have the funds, and even with this experience won't change my mind. I've visited Thailand about 15 times since 1987, and have decided to take the plunge. LOS.
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