moldy

Tasteful. I think all useless caves and other geographic stuff should be converted into karaoke lounges.

Perhaps they could 'probe' him with one of the high powered cylindrical pumps that will be confiscated (see story same board).

5 months is not such a long time given the complexity of the blood tests required. Culturing viruses is no simple or quick matter.

If the presence of H5N1 was confirmed in one brother who could only have contacted it from human-human transmission, the lack of blood testing in the deceased brother is not that important. One or twocases, same difference: a strain apparently capable of human-human trasmission has potetially been identified.

I'm sure that CDC, WHO etc have descended upon the place and thatwork is uderway to examine the virus to confirm whether or not it has mutated and if so how.

Worrisome news, but long expected.

Sheryl, you write 'the lack of blood testing in the deceased brother is not that important'.

Scientifically, surely it is essential. This is not just being pedantic.

But yes, no doubt about it, this is a real threat, and one wonders if it is just a matter of time before a real pandemic emerges.

....i don't want to cause controvasy but if disease can mutate and change cannot ideas follow?......when we are looking out for one disease another disease might be round the corner (sorry i'm on scrumpy)...the thing you gotta worry about is having nothing to worry about,....if you get my drift ....for instance ;,....say we went round the world publicising the aids epedemic but realistically it was not as dangerous as malaria (for reason of argument)...would not that be plain "daft",..?

still anecdotal, rather than scientific. Bit of a worry though.

More real than AIDS pandemic for instance.

So I need a decent ask, of the sort used by cyclists I guess. Anybody know where I can find one in Bangkok?

I can answer part of your question.

There is a brand of mask that I wear everyday called "NeoMask."

It comes in different colors, and has a black filtered mask inside. It's made in the west.

It's been very helpful for me. I had coughs, itchy throat, wheezing and all kinds of respiratory problems because of traffic pollution.

I don't know where you can find, it, but the brand NeoMask has been the best for me.

Thanks for the answers.

As a temp. measure I obtained a very good mask from Tesco.

I'm also keeping an eye on daily pollution levels, if any body is interested consult Bangkok Post weather forecast, or Google - air quality Bangkok for a detailed breakdown in your area.

It seems the areas I frequent are quite hazardous, eg, Thanon Sukhumvit because a lot of the polluted air becomes trapped under the sky train and there are tall narrow buildings either side, so I'll be extra careful (in more ways than one ).

I always try and listen to everything and then make up my own mind and just do what feels right to me.

Try reading "The China Study" by T.Colin Campbell. I found it very interesting to read the effects of animal proteins given to rats, and how their cancers were diminished and their heart disease 100% reversed (even at late stage heart disease) by following plant based diets.

It is a shame that we are told so many different conflicting opinions, so all we can do is educate ourselves at the end of the day.

A good English breakfast if supplemented with baked beans, tomato, and lashings of tea, provides a good balanced meal, assuming the meat is grilled. Why not try poached eggs too?

Some saturated fat is good for you.

If you have high cholestorol consult a doc.

In my opinion good health is a matter of luck, moderation and reasonable exercise.

What I get from the article is no so much about sinusitis, but more about the overuse of antibiotics which IMHO is rampant. And you needing "newer and stronger" antibiotics is a bad sign. You may have a MRSA/VRSA/VRE infection in your future.

Darrell

Yes, thinking about it, if they don't have bacterial sinusitis, what do they have ?, after all any cold virus would have been killed some time before.

So that being the case, it's more about the futility of the drugs being given, worrying indeed.

Can any health bod advise?

Look at how they drive and how there's no one out there to tell them how to.

How can anyone even begin to think something can even be done with the way they f*%# ?

I simply don't believe the figures, and am sceptical regarding numerous inconsistencies throughout the AIDS paradigm full stop.

I did manage to identify a non-steroidal nasal spray on the web.

Brand name: NasalCrom,

Content: cromolyn sodium.

Tried 4 pharmacies in Central Bangna last weekend, no luck. They all stock steroidal sprays only.

If anyone comes across this in Bangkok, I'd appreciate being told.

As far I know Cromolyn is not availabkle in Thailand. I've been looking for it for years. Noty available in Cambodia either.

HOWEVER, it might be available through some of thei nternational hospitals as they soemtimes have imports not licensed for sale over the counter.

There is a dedicated Allergy Clinic at Bumrungrad, I haven't heard any reports on it. Anyone out there been to it and have any docs to recommend (for or against)?

No luck. I looked over the weekend.

Guess there's a risk in everything with medicine. I opted for Nasocort which I found at the local pharmacy for 400 bt or so. I'll take it for 2 weeks at a time. I have reservations about taking any drugs but it's essential I stop this nasal problem.

My girlfriend has found a half decent mask at Tesco Lotus, in the hardware section, 2 for 59bt. It looks substantial has a carbon layer I think and a small filter.

I wanted to keep this valuable thread alive- upper respiratory tract probs. seem such a deal in Bangkok.

I've found 3 causes of rhinitis:

1. Allergic proper. These we all know about, eg, hayfever.

2. Non allergic- smoke, traffic fumes for example.

3. Vaso motor- really a condition caused by extremes, eg, weather changes.

The 3rd is really on the up it seems, due to bad ozone, and the increase of harsh air con, noise, and just strong flavourings and chemicals in our daily life. Certainly, sometimes I walk off the street and in to a shopping mall and get a very runny nose, sneezing and swelling for sometime afterwards.

Using a good mask seems to help, and now I've started using a steroid nasal spray (with great care) and a little decongestant (with even greater care).

It's a good idea if people can continue to add their thoughts, discoveries and treatment regimes.

i know lots of us have sinusitis and here is an article i just read

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7294244.stm

It's a good posting and a valid article.

Wouldn't it be nice if doctors could actually come up with some helpful advice on treating sinusitis though? The advice given in the article is laughable though typical. How much pain have you got to be in before a condition is taken seriously!!!!

Personally, I think best treatment is prevention. I'd guess that the primary cause of sinusitis is nasal swelling, so for me it's judicious use of nasal decongestants, a nasal steroid and lots of nasal rinsing and avoidance of trigger factors.

And yes antibiotics work very well too for me.

Paracetemol, clarityn...... oh well if you say sooo!!!

I did manage to identify a non-steroidal nasal spray on the web.

Brand name: NasalCrom,

Content: cromolyn sodium.

Tried 4 pharmacies in Central Bangna last weekend, no luck. They all stock steroidal sprays only.

If anyone comes across this in Bangkok, I'd appreciate being told.

As far I know Cromolyn is not availabkle in Thailand. I've been looking for it for years. Noty available in Cambodia either.

HOWEVER, it might be available through some of thei nternational hospitals as they soemtimes have imports not licensed for sale over the counter.

There is a dedicated Allergy Clinic at Bumrungrad, I haven't heard any reports on it. Anyone out there been to it and have any docs to recommend (for or against)?

No luck. I looked over the weekend.

Guess there's a risk in everything with medicine. I opted for Nasocort which I found at the local pharmacy for 400 bt or so. I'll take it for 2 weeks at a time. I have reservations about taking any drugs but it's essential I stop this nasal problem.

My girlfriend has found a half decent mask at Tesco Lotus, in the hardware section, 2 for 59bt. It looks substantial has a carbon layer I think and a small filter.

I did manage to identify a non-steroidal nasal spray on the web.

Brand name: NasalCrom,

Content: cromolyn sodium.

Tried 4 pharmacies in Central Bangna last weekend, no luck. They all stock steroidal sprays only.

If anyone comes across this in Bangkok, I'd appreciate being told.

David. I'm looking in to the matter myself. I think there is one at Boots but haven't referenced it on the web yet. Will post if I find out more.

But I am finding out more and more that non allergenic reactions are not easy to treat by way of medicine. The only anti histamine which seems to come up as suitable is azelastine.

I've started zyrtec this week but can't say I notice much diff, but my nose is still very sore from latest attack anyway.

But surely steroidal sprays are what is required David ??? Are you sure you are not getting mixed up with decongestant sprays which I agree should be avoided.

Steroid sprays don't seem to have side effects- that's what the splurge says anyway

I found fluticasone at Boots today - 895 bt. Anybody know of any more?

I did manage to identify a non-steroidal nasal spray on the web.

Brand name: NasalCrom,

Content: cromolyn sodium.

Tried 4 pharmacies in Central Bangna last weekend, no luck. They all stock steroidal sprays only.

If anyone comes across this in Bangkok, I'd appreciate being told.

David. I'm looking in to the matter myself. I think there is one at Boots but haven't referenced it on the web yet. Will post if I find out more.

But I am finding out more and more that non allergenic reactions are not easy to treat by way of medicine. The only anti histamine which seems to come up as suitable is azelastine.

I've started zyrtec this week but can't say I notice much diff, but my nose is still very sore from latest attack anyway.

Recurring Nose , It's gone, it's back again

If it is any consolation, Michael Jackson has the same problem.

Sorry, i know it,s a serious enquiry moldy and i do sympathise as i,m sure Boksida does.

On a serious note i hope it is nothing more than an allergy problem.

marshbags

Thanks everybody. It all helps.

Unlike Mr Jackson at least I won't have to sell my ranch just yet . Actually I have noticed just how laughter helps my condition, I'm sure it's stress related too.

I've been reading up on the net and vaso motor rhinitis (a version of non allergic rhinitis) rings many bells, not the least the sensitivity to traffic pollution and atmospheric changes. It appears to be on the increase and is linked to ozone and co2 emissions too.

Bangkok appears to be a particular 'allergy soup' doesn't it ?

The thing that worries me is the continual bruised feeling in the nose and a sort of sulphuric smell.

I thought the antibiotics were doing good, but they just coincided with spells indoors. Not going out seems to be a factor in my improvement.

A move is being planned!

In the meantime any drug suggestions would be most useful- I'm currently giving zyrtec a whirl.

And again if anyone does know where to buy a cyclists mask I'd be most grateful.

So the question is who do you think cost the most for health care to age 56? Who do you think had the highest lifetime cost? And why?

Answer from scientific study coming up in the near future. After you have had a chance to respond.

I'm assuming you mean cost in absolute terms, ie, without adding back the huge taxes smokers pay for instance.

So it is either the smokers or the obese, and I'll go for the obese as smoking related diseases ten to show up much later in life.

Yes, it would surprise me if it was the third group, although this group might include most women (who tend to be the biggest consumers as I recall), the young, and possibly the 'overly' health conscious.

Very intriguing posting- well done!

I've had non allergic rhinitis for a number of years, principally while living in Bangkok but I had nasal problems in Farangland too. I sense too that I suffer from general sinusitis and xrays have confirmed the odd bout. The traffic pollution is a dominant factor to say the least. I gave up smoking one month ago, appear to be very fit for a 47 year old and am healthy, with a good blood count, immune system, etc.

Anyway I've noticed a common pattern that has me worried.

I'm going to see a specialist I've decided, but can anyone comment in the meantime?

Typically if I come back from holiday my nose starts to smart a little and is a bit runny. Progessively it feels swollen and then I get a chemically sulhuric type taste and smell. I might get an allergy attack, sneezing, stingy eyes and generalised stretching numb pain across my face and sometimes forehead (a bit like a mask). After about 4 days I'll typically have one big sneeze and out comes some healthy darkened yellow snot (a bit like evo stik -sorry bout that).

But it never quite goes away and won't until I get a prescription for antibiotics (usually amoxycillin). Within a day the symptoms disappear totally, which is good, but come back again within a week or so of me stopping the antibiotics, which is why I am worried as I obviously the problem is never fully cleared.

Any comments ?

I've had some top tips from this site too I must say.

With things like allergies and sinusitis, probably lots of other things too, there's always stories to be told and experiences shared as well as medicine talk.

Maybe each posting should have an automatic warning/disclaimer in red- something like that, because OP has a fair point.

(now as there are so many nurses I've got this pain ri........................... no. just joking.)

OOOch - just because you got caught up in the same scare mongering without thinking . This is the danger you see, a few stats and facts go awry and suddenly there is a pandemic.

AIDS is real enough and the people who have it (not sure about the wards of people though, can you give an example in Bangkok for me to check out ?)

Nah, I'm not caught up in anything... I still enjoy the life the way I want to, just with a few precautions, ....I do find it amusing when folks question whether AIDS and HIV have a correlation or whether HIV exists or not.

You can check out kids with AIDS at Bamratnaradura Hospital on Tivanon Rd. (you can call BUG 1113 for the number and directions). You can also find adults with AIDS at Bangrak Hospital on Sathorn (they call the section their VD Hospital, but most of the folks who are admitted are suffering from AIDS complications... there aren't folks staying overnight or longer for standard STD's). Naturally you can't just go through and gawk, you'll need to go in the "guise" of wanting to do donate clothes/adult diapers/etc.... and then you say "I'd like to see who my donations benefit." Sorted.

Of course, it might all be a scam or an elaborate hoax to sell pharmaceuticals.

No AIDS is real enough, and sadly the effects too, but I don't see why you should be so sure about HIV as a virus the way it is stated. Thanks for the info. I'll chase it up and of course I understand what you are saying regarding discretion - I need to be a bit more giving anyway, what better cause. I missed out doing an MA when I was younger, am thinking of doing one now using AIDS as a general subject area.

I've drawn a complete blank on the science you see. and the so called conspiracy sights do a hel_l of a lot better at explaining things. Call me old fashioned, but it would be nice to see a little understandable evidence. Any ideas where I might find this?

I think that this health part of the forum is very useful but with the exception of the drinking section I try to avoid posting in it too much. I am always worried that the advice given could cause more harm than good. I frequently see posts where somebody describes symptoms which indicate to me what could be going on, but I hesitate about replying. I am a qualified nurse and have quite a bit of medical/surgical knowledge and this had made me probably more hesitant about giving advice. Of course, I'm no doctor.

I am sure that there are many here that are likely even more qualified than me and wonder if they feel the same sense of hesitation. My advice to anybody describing symptoms to me is always for them to go see a doctor. I suppose that this comes from experience of minor symptoms sometimes indicating something much more sinister. I would be appaled if my advice put somebody on the wrong path.

How do others feel about this. Is it good to give advice on a health forum.

It's a very fair point. I've cringed when I've seen a poster come on with a sore throat and before you know it he's being advised to check it out for cancer. But I think with general problems it's good to bounce about a bit of advice. We have the moderators too, who can correct mistakes.

OOOch - just because you got caught up in the same scare mongering without thinking . This is the danger you see, a few stats and facts go awry and suddenly there is a pandemic.

AIDS is real enough and the people who have it (not sure about the wards of people though, can you give an example in Bangkok for me to check out ?) but there are reasonable question marks over the science behind it. In my opinion we have become obsessed with looking for a quick fix, one time solution to something that is far more profound and is multi factoral. This is a toxic phenomenon too for sure. I mean just look at the poor hemophilliacs 20 years ago, according to known science they could not have been infected with the HIV virus full stop (Factor 8 is a powder). Yet they died of AIDS, there must then be more to this syndrome or the science is very wrong. Either way it's right to ask searching questions.

Can anyone with a prof. background point me to an electron microscope photograph of the virus in the human body, or a gradient test at the required density for a retro virus. I've drawn a complete blank ?.

For what it's worth Like Duesburg I think a virus must be involved somewhere along the line, but proof is needed for it to be a scientific certainty.

Is it my imagination or have people lost sight of the fact that you would need to have sex with an HIV positive person in order to be at risk of acquiring the alleged HIV virus.

Assuming this to be the case, and also that the virus is real and transmissable (both quite big assumptions in my opinion), then Sheryl is quite right it's no good hiding behind statistics. averages and means - risk is risk- random is random.

I have been experiencing a very dry mouth during the night--it generally starts to appear around the time that I am falling asleep and has become so uncomfortable that it wakes me up and I need to sip water at several times throughout the night--I have asked several doctors over the past year or 2, which is approx how long it has been happening, but have not found any solution--it's not something related to sleeping with A/C on as it occurs with or without, even on trips back to UK though possibly to a slightly lesser degree; it is not a 24 hr thing as my saliva flows normally during the day. Needless to say it is beginning to worry me-coffee drinking, alchohol consumption, smoking are all possible culprits as are prescription medications-anyone got any other suggestions--serious ones preferably.

No big deal most likely. Still think the air con is most likely cause - these probs. don't go away overnight so a trip back to Farangland wouldn,t just solve it . All the more true if you are a mouth breather. Yes, there's the fags, the booze (especially), and coffee, but if you keep yourself topped up with water this shouldn't be too big a problem.

Not sure what to advise as air con is a lesser of 2 evils. Perhaps humidify your room. This can be done simply by wetting a large sheet or towel and hanging it up at night b4 bed. Or buy a fish tank, or perhaps some plants. You can buy special machines.

The risk per contact (which as mentioned may be greater than 1/2000 in some cases) times the number of contacts = the person's risk, do the math and you'll see that a man who, for example, has unprotected sex with a prostitute about once a week for years racks up quite a risk indeed...

Surely the maths states that if the probability of contracting HIV is 1/2000 per encounter with an HIV+ partner, then, on a level playing field, each time you have unprotected intercourse, it is still 1/2000 probability: i.e. having unprotected sex 2000 times does not mean that you will definitely contract HIV? The probability of rolling a six with one die is 1/6. That does not mean that if you roll it six times, you will certainly throw a six - you might throw six sixes or none at all.

The odds on winning the UK lottery are something like 14,000,000 to 1, yet I'll wager that most of those who find the probability of female to male HIV infection a risk worth taking, also buy lottery tickets. Well, it is all a matter of luck, I suppose - on both counts.

I don't buy in to the arguments of those who rely upon quackery and contorted science to deny that HIV either exists or is the threat it is. The empirical evidence is just too great.

Can you be more specific about the empirical evidence?

Just found this quote taken direct from the packet insert on the Abbotts HIV1 test "E1A testing alone cannot be used to diagnose AIDS, even if the recommended investigation of the reactive specimen suggests a high probablity". Difficult to know what to make of that really? I haven't taken it out of context or anything. Doesn't sound like the thing is too reliable.

Maybe my question is a little bit off-topic, but is it possible to contract HIV if you receive oral sex without a condom?

With intercourse I ALLWAYS use a condom, but not always with oral sex, because as far as I know it is impossible or nearly impossible to contract HIV this way.

Nothing is impossible. They used to think that it was impossible to transmit HIV by sharing food. Just google "HIV baby food."

Your odds are of course good for NOT contracting HIV, so the studies say, but how many studies include folks who get a BBBJ from a Thai prostitute/bargirl 2-3 times a week, year in year out? These are typically gals with poor dental hygiene... which can mean sores and bleeding gums, etc., ...oh, not to mention the 10-90+ sexual partners per month thing.

Yes it's a different game with the bar girls, you don't know what they've been up to and as you mentioned dental hygiene is a factor here, but in all honesty the risk is thought to be zero or near to zero. It is possible to contract clap or similar though, so I can't see how they can be so sure about HIV, maybe saliva kills it off, I don't know. As people will know, I'm a little sceptical about the existence of the virus in the human body full stop, let alone in water secretions.

Yes it's a different game with the bar girls, you don't know what they've been up to and as you mentioned dental hygiene is a factor here, but in all honesty the risk is thought to be zero or near to zero. It is possible to contract clap or similar though, so I can't see how they can be so sure about HIV, maybe saliva kills it off, I don't know. As people will know, I'm a little sceptical about the existence of the virus in the human body full stop, let alone in water secretions. Just my educated thoughts though.

I thought he said a friend advised him not to take Claritin long-term, not that it didn't work for him. I'd ask why not take it long-term?

I've been taking it daily for about 10 years, ever since it was released. I suffer from multiple allergies, from pollen and dust mites to mold and mildew, making my misery a year-round event in both the USA and here. FWIW, the 10 milligram dose was only approved by the FDA at the pharmaceutical company's insistence; the 20 milligram dose was far more effective in the clinical trials, but caused drowsiness and the pharmaceutical company wanted a non-sedating antihistamine to compete with Seldane. I take a 20 milligram dose whenever my allergic response gets out of hand. My doctor in the USA knew this and was fine with it.

Yes. I don't think there is any problem with taking this long term, but clearly it can't be working that well, and is in any case ineffective for non-allergic reactions. I dismissed Clarityn because it just didn't do anything for me and have heard much the same from several other people, but others like yourself rank it.

I was running around all over Bangkok yesterday and about 6pm today I was hit with itchy eyes, unstoppable sneezing and constant runny nose - I guess it must be a seasonal dust thing - it's like a very bad case of hayfever and it has ruined my night.

The pharmacies are useless (here in MTT anyway) and just suggest random pills without really giving it any thought.

Yes I agree. But the doctors don't seem to know any different either. I came to the conclusion there is simply no pill that will do the trick as we are talking about a toxic thing here and something of a severity that goes beyond the remit of a simple anti-histamine. There seems to be a double whammy- runny nose during the day and then a full blown attack in the evening.

I had some pretty big plans upon coming back from holiday, but was effectively immobilised really. It's more than just one of those things.

Can't be hay fever, probably chemicals in the terrible atmo.

Incidentally, if someone reading knows where I can buy an anti pollution mask in Bangers I'd be most grateful.