Sick In Cambodia And Thailand

[Rowdyman]

Long time reader of thaivisa but have posted only a few times. Hope I can get some input from members that might be familiar with this mystery illness. I was in Camboda for two weeks then came back to Bangkok. Felt chills in the airport leaving Cambodia and after two weeks in still had these symptoms: 100 - 101 degree temperature, mild chills, general malaise (very tired), very slight headache, very mild nasal discharge, sleep alot. Chest was clear, no cough, digestive system worked fine. After two weeks I went to Bumrungrad where they did blood tests. From the blood tests doctor concluded it was a virus. Hep A, B, and C tests were negative, as was flu swab tests. HIV was negative. Only thing he said he could do was give Milk Thistle and Electrolyte supplements. It ruined my vacation as I just didn't feel like doing anything or going anywhere. It lasted another 30 days and then I left for home and it lasted another two weeks before finally going away and my blood tests (primarily) liver enzymes were then back to normal.

Anybody had this or heard of it? The only thing I can think of is that, while in Cambodia (Phenom Penh) everytime I went out for a walk I got bitten by fleas around the ankles and lower legs. Happened several days before I wised up and put mosquito repellant on. Can fleas cause a virus?

[noob7]

Bitten by fleas? Or Tiger Mosquito?

Check for Dengue, maybe!

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/dengue/Pages/Symptoms.aspx

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/health/2012-05/16/c_131591449.htm

Only to make sure, it isn't that.

Did they check on Iron also, in the blood test?

[pattayadingo]

At times when I have been ravaged by mozzies, I too have felt a general malaise similar to what you describe but it has never lasted that long.

Normally the odd mozzie bite causes no problems but I think some people like myself do get a reaction when bitten frequently over a short period. Just my opinion

[Sheryl]

Sounds like a simple flu, probably repsiratory in nature and contagion.

When new to a place, one lacks antibodies to common strains fo colds and 'flu, so not unusual to fall sick. If you remain in the area for a while, this stops being so frequent as you developo immunities.

[Rowdyman]

Thank you all for your replies.

Dengue fever was considered by the doctor but was ruled out since 1) my fever was more mild; 20 no achy joints/bones; 3) no rash on skin. I was also confined to the city and it was the dry season so may have been bitten by mosquitos but I don't think so. I know that Cambodia, although a great and unusual place to visit was very dirty.

As for the possibility of the flu, that was ruled out when my doctor did a flu swab and came up negative.

[MrRealDeal]

It's not so much that fleas cause a virus it's that the flea bites make for a great place for a virus to enter your body so it's a yes but no answer. Sounds like a viral infection wheather it found it's way in from the flea bites or not is hard to say but anything that bites you can have a virus and pass it on and any open sore from scratching is a good place for infection or a virus to start.

If I had to make a guess I would say it was a combination of things rather than just one thing. A viral infection and some unrelated normal problems associated with traveling , the duration part more from a dissapointing vacation and stress, than the waning viral infection. The reason it lastted so long was more from your concern of not knowing what the problem was rather than the problem itself ....... pretty common in situations like yours.

If you had been confident that it was some minor problem not to worry about it would have gone away much sooner , but it's hard for people to get well when they have great concern that the Doctors don't even know what the problem is and the minds assumption is how can you get well if you don't know whats wrong.

Edited November 24, 2012 by MrRealDeal

[Sheryl]

There is no such thing as a "flu swab" that rules out all types of influenza.

Morel ikely he did a throat culture which ruleso ut bacterial throat infection. Or checked for specific flu e.g. H1N1.

[phuturatica]

Sounds like a variation of the flu virus to me.

Sometimes when I go to a new place I am more suspectable to get sick due to my immune system not being used to the new environment?

[MrRealDeal]

Sounds like a variation of the flu virus to me.

Sometimes when I go to a new place I am more suspectable to get sick due to my immune system not being used to the new environment?

Not really , if you went to a new place that was clean and virus free it wouldn't much matter that it was new ..... the problem is the bacteria viruses and other things IN the envornment it doesn't make any difference if it's the old one or a new one ......... However travelling can lower your ability to fight off things because you may become tired from lack of sleep drink more and add stress.

[Mrjlh]

Try the Bangkok Tropical Disease Hospital in Bangkok.

http://www.tm.mahidol.ac.th/eng/tmho/tmho_index.htm