Pictures courtesy of Shalona Beaumont's post on Thailand Travel Advice Facebook group

 

A North Yorkshire mother has issued a grave warning after her teenage daughter fell ill with scrub typhus, a life-threatening bacterial infection, following their trip to Thailand. The family, frequent visitors to the Southeast Asian paradise, were blindsided by the sudden health crisis.

 

Initially mistaking the symptoms for dental issues, the 17-year-old's condition rapidly deteriorated, manifesting in swollen neck glands and jaundiced skin.

 

Alarmed by potential liver failure, doctors performed tests for tropical diseases, ultimately diagnosing scrub typhus—contracted through unnoticed bites from chigger mites.

 

The teen was believed to have been bitten during their travels in Chiang Mai, a region known for scrub typhus cases. The infection, caused by the bacterium Orientia tsutsugamushi, can lead to severe complications without prompt treatment, typically requiring doxycycline.

 

Picture of a chigger (mite) courtesy of The Indian Express

 

The case serves as a stark reminder for travellers to remain vigilant about health risks in Northern Thailand, where scrub typhus poses a real threat. While it is treatable, the absence of a vaccine underscores the need for preventive measures and awareness.

 

By sharing her ordeal, the mother hopes to alert others to the dangers, urging travellers to seek medical advice if unusual symptoms arise. Early diagnosis is crucial, as untreated scrub typhus can have a fatality rate of up to 20%. 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-03

 

 

the need for preventive measures 

 

And they are ??

9 minutes ago, JoePai said:

the need for preventive measures 

 

And they are ??

 

'Advise against all but essential travel to Northern Thailand'.

 

😷

Looks like another good reason to keep some doxycycline on hand.  It's also apparently the treatment for Anthrax, which has recently been reported.

 

When I read stories like this, I recollect the times I've been sick and how long it took to get in to see a doctor, much less get an actual lab based diagnosis (as opposed to walking out with a bag of pills and "call back if these don't work").

 

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

have been bitten during their travels in Chiang Mai,

start interrogating members

1 hour ago, impulse said:

Looks like another good reason to keep some doxycycline on hand.  It's also apparently the treatment for Anthrax, which has recently been reported.

 

When I read stories like this, I recollect the times I've been sick and how long it took to get in to see a doctor, much less get an actual lab based diagnosis (as opposed to walking out with a bag of pills and "call back if these don't work").

 

 

In my experience at my local rural hospital you will be able to see a doctor within at most 3 hours of presenting yourself, and the hospital has a small laboratory capable of testing and quickly diagnosing the prevalent local diseases, which include scrun typhus.

17 minutes ago, JAG said:

In my experience at my local rural hospital you will be able to see a doctor within at most 3 hours of presenting yourself, and the hospital has a small laboratory capable of testing and quickly diagnosing the prevalent local diseases, which include scrun typhus.

 

In 7 years of working in Bangkok, I never got a lab test to diagnose cough, cold, fever, aches, pains and other symptoms.  They always gave me a list of pills to fill at their pharmacy and told me to come back if those didn't work.  I'm sure Bumrungrad and Samitivej had the labs.  But they never once swabbed or poked or prodded me for a sample.  That's the difference between capability and reality.

 

Edit:  Just to be clear, that's not a complaint specific to either hospital.  I was very happy with the care I received, especially compared to the care I received back in the USA.  Where the doctors also sent me to the local pharmacy, often with just a phone call and not even an in-person checkup.  

 

Wow , who knew .

https://www.medicinenet.com/chiggers_bites/article.htm

 

If it itches , you usually think it's just a mosquito.

How to be vigilant, other than avoiding Thailand?

2 hours ago, BritScot said:

Well you are lucky! We here in the UK are too lowly to actually see a GP. First hurdle is to phone as the clock strikes 08:00 by a few seconds after you missed your chance so try your luck the next day and repeat until give up, go to A&E or your dead. In 5 years I've never physically seen a doctor and I'm supposed to be seen every year!!! 

 

“We here in the UK “

 

Says it all. You’re reliant on a cash strapped antiquated medical system that U.K. people complain about in spades, but also claim it to be the envy of the world.

 

In Thailand there’s no problem actually seeing a doctor. Or dentist for that matter. The standard varies dramatically depending on where you seek treatment.

 

For the record, I don’t envy the U.K. NHS at all. It’s crap.

16 minutes ago, Dogmatix said:

How to be vigilant, other than avoiding Thailand?

Educate yourself on the symptoms and if you develop them, seek medical attention.

 

Other than that, follow normal hygiene procedures and avoid being bitten by insects.

4 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

And then the mother goes out with a warning, when it´s known already. The Brits seem to have a field day in the news today. 😂

,???????????

6 hours ago, JoePai said:

the need for preventive measures 

 

And they are ??

Staying in Blighty. 

10 hours ago, webfact said:

Initially mistaking the symptoms for dental issues

By who and what examination was conducted?

Was it an actual dentist or a general practitioner doctor who is guessing based on what information? 

I can't believe a licensed dentist particularly in a hospital wouldn't run a couple of tests to confirm any suspicion for symptoms. 

Then there is the oral and maxillofacial surgeon who focuses on diagnosing and managing a wide range of oral conditions, including infections, ulcers, and other mucosal abnormalities. 

7 hours ago, JoePai said:

the need for preventive measures 

 

And they are ??

Don't go to CM ?

3 hours ago, FlorC said:

Wow , who knew .

https://www.medicinenet.com/chiggers_bites/article.htm

 

If it itches , you usually think it's just a mosquito.

And I thought the chiggers we had back home were bad 

5 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

And then the mother goes out with a warning, when it´s known already. The Brits seem to have a field day in the news today. 😂

 

Willing to bet neither you, nor 99% of expats or travellers, or even Thais, knew "scrub typhus" prior to reading this article. 

2 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

“We here in the UK “

 

Says it all. You’re reliant on a cash strapped antiquated medical system that U.K. people complain about in spades, but also claim it to be the envy of the world.

 

In Thailand there’s no problem actually seeing a doctor. Or dentist for that matter. The standard varies dramatically depending on where you seek treatment.

 

For the record, I don’t envy the U.K. NHS at all. It’s crap.

 

The point about the NHS is the treatment is free - dependent on the urgency of the situation, you may have to wait a while.

 

In Thailand, I agree that you can get seen by a doctor very quickly, but any subsequent treatment can be very expensive! 

6 hours ago, impulse said:

In 7 years of working in Bangkok, I never got a lab test to diagnose cough, cold, fever, aches, pains and other symptoms.  

A lab test for what?  The symptoms ypu describe are that of a common cold or flu.  You expect some extensive lab tests for??

Doing a lab test would just be a waste of time for them and a very expensive waste of time for you.

Post breaking forum rules removed.

 

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5 hours ago, BritScot said:

Well you are lucky! We here in the UK are too lowly to actually see a GP. First hurdle is to phone as the clock strikes 08:00 by a few seconds after you missed your chance so try your luck the next day and repeat until give up, go to A&E or your dead. In 5 years I've never physically seen a doctor and I'm supposed to be seen every year!!! 

 

When I first came here it was back in the 90's and UK gps' where still prepared to see people. I simply made an appointment to  get my travel jabs and was sorted out on the same day by the nurse, I'm sure typhoid was on the list along with hepatitis, a tetanus booster and maybe a couple of others,   I would imagine that many people who have trouble seeing a Gp  or nurse simply do without

I didn't see a UK dr again until I needed a covid jab.  I phoned up and when I eventually got through they told me I had been taken off their list, and were not accepting new patients, so i should look elsewhere

      I tried about 5 different gp's before I found one that would accept me, but they were unable to get any of my medical records from the original gp   "lost" apparently

       They have probably de listed me by now, its a terrible system nowadays,

ANyone else noticed? When I opened this page, on right top there was a bug walking over the screen.

First thought was a bug on the screen , but no it was digital ! It was in the browser.

Changing to other site , same, so browser. It was there for minutes and then gone.

Joke from AN?

 

Tried to reproduce it, but cant. It is just once and then gone.

Also deleted cookies, but no , 

9 hours ago, JoePai said:

the need for preventive measures 

 

And they are ??

Isn't protective clothing and insect repellent the time old answer?

26 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

When I first came here it was back in the 90's and UK gps' where still prepared to see people. I simply made an appointment to  get my travel jabs and was sorted out on the same day by the nurse, I'm sure typhoid was on the list along with hepatitis, a tetanus booster and maybe a couple of others,   I would imagine that many people who have trouble seeing a Gp  or nurse simply do without

I didn't see a UK dr again until I needed a covid jab.  I phoned up and when I eventually got through they told me I had been taken off their list, and were not accepting new patients, so i should look elsewhere

      I tried about 5 different gp's before I found one that would accept me, but they were unable to get any of my medical records from the original gp   "lost" apparently

       They have probably de listed me by now, its a terrible system nowadays,

There is no vaccine for scrub typhus.

From the Medicinnet article:

"Chigger bites themselves do not produce any long-term complications. However, because of the intense itching, prolonged scratching may lead to skin wounds that may become infected by bacteria. Chiggers in North America are not known to carry any diseases, unlike some other arthropods."

 

So it seems scratching is the problem, not the bites unlike mosquitoes.

 

Bite remedies:

"Many home remedies for chigger bites are based upon the incorrect belief that chiggers burrow into and remain in the skin. Nail polish, alcohol, and bleach have been applied to the bites to attempt to get rid of the chiggers by "suffocating" or killing the chiggers. However, because the chiggers are not present in the skin, these methods are not effective.

 

Here's how to get rid of chigger bites. Home remedies to help relieve the itching associated with chigger bites may help some people, such as:

 

Taking a cool shower or applying cool compresses

Sitting in a cool bath

Using bath products that contain colloidal oatmeal

Using certain over-the-counter (OTC) medications to help "

 

So, don't scratch and cool showers or baths to relieve the symptoms.

 

8 minutes ago, Digitalbanana said:

Isn't protective clothing and insect repellent the time old answer?

Hiking in the jungle with long trousers and long socks over your trouser legs ain't much fun.

8 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

And then the mother goes out with a warning, when it´s known already. The Brits seem to have a field day in the news today. 😂

I've lived in Thailand for a few years, where, and when, did you hear about this "scrub typhus," as this is the first I've heard about it, and I'm sure many others, living here, and tourists, from many countries, have never heard of it.

The NHS has some of the best Drs and nurses in the world , unfortunately it seems to be run by some of the worst managers and executives in the world who for some strange reason are paid eye watering salaries. And they in turn employ the likes of "diversity consultants also on ridiculous salaries.

There is always talk of underfunding, but in reality they receive enough but it gets wasted and "lost"

4 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

“We here in the UK “

 

Says it all. You’re reliant on a cash strapped antiquated medical system that U.K. people complain about in spades, but also claim it to be the envy of the world.

 

In Thailand there’s no problem actually seeing a doctor. Or dentist for that matter. The standard varies dramatically depending on where you seek treatment.

 

For the record, I don’t envy the U.K. NHS at all. It’s crap.

Glad to hear it , now run along

8 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

And then the mother goes out with a warning, when it´s known already. The Brits seem to have a field day in the news today. 😂

No-one denies that some British people can be silly, make mistakes and make foolish statements at times, which of course are magnified by "social media".

 

You are, I understand from Scandinavia (Sweden)? It must be a great relief to know that the Nordic gene pool does not allow such things to happen!