Preventative antibiotics for Songkran

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Medical question here, but mostly Chiang Mai / Songkran related.

Which type of antibiotics would be good to start taking prior to jumping into the Songkran festivities? Even though we plan to participate sensibly, it is pretty much inevitable to end up with a mouth full of moat water, and the usual cuts and scratches.

If the party was a single day then that wouldn't matter much because you can just recuperate afterwards, but Songkran requires a four or five day commitment and obviously you don't want to be out of it come day two.

I'm thinking Dicloxacilin would probably work especially to keep any cuts from getting infected. But not sure how effective that would be to the also common eye and ear infections.

Anyone with a medical background who can comment?

[Mestizo]

Doesn't alcohol consumption negate the effects of antibiotics? Seems like it would be a waste of effort, unless you happen to be one of those strange teetotaler characters..

-Mestizo

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[Mario2008]

I move it to health, as it really is a health question and best answered there.

[NamKAheng]

Bad idea!

Taking antibiotics also destroy your stomach flora the good bacterias in your gut so it is better to take them only if you have a infection with medical advice from a doctor telling you the right kind and how long you have to take them.

[FBN]

There is no reason whatsoever for "prophylactic antibiotics" for this reason at all; it would be considered misuse of antibiotic drugs which only serves to contribute to the dilemma we find ourselves in with worldwide increasing bacterial resistance to antibiotics.

[jonesthepost]

Simple keep away from the moat in Chiangmai enjoy yourselfs in the villages. Its a great time and alot more civiliesed

F.T.P.

[Sheryl]

There is no reason whatsoever for "prophylactic antibiotics" for this reason at all; it would be considered misuse of antibiotic drugs which only serves to contribute to the dilemma we find ourselves in with worldwide increasing bacterial resistance to antibiotics.

As above.

If any cuts or scratches are sustained, cleanse the area well and apply an antiseptic. That's all.

As for mouthfuls of moat water -- 1) Don't swallow. 2) If you do swallow a little bit, don't worry. Stomach acid kills off most bugs. The food you eat everyday is hardly sterile.

[Garry]

There is no reason whatsoever for "prophylactic antibiotics" for this reason at all; it would be considered misuse of antibiotic drugs which only serves to contribute to the dilemma we find ourselves in with worldwide increasing bacterial resistance to antibiotics.

As above.

If any cuts or scratches are sustained, cleanse the area well and apply an antiseptic. That's all.

As for mouthfuls of moat water -- 1) Don't swallow. 2) If you do swallow a little bit, don't worry. Stomach acid kills off most bugs. The food you eat everyday is hardly sterile.

I use Teramycin for small cuts & scrapes for my family and myself. Comes in two styles: an eye cream and a general cream, but I have used both types on skin wounds with the same good results. Don't be put off by it being an eye cream, as I had a bad cut to my chin and my doctor prescribed me Teramycin in the wound dressing changes. It really is that good.

Sent from my SM-T211 using Tapatalk

Edited April 10, 2014 by Garry

[jacko45k]

I think the only time antibiotics are administered as a preventative is by a hospital, pre op.

Other than that you don't really know which antibiotic to prescribe for something you haven't caught yet!

[Mudcrab]

Suggest a full body condom for complete protection......but you might look like a dick.

[johnnysunshine]

Anti-biotics (against life) are very dangerous and given out freely by hospitals and doctors in Thailand because they do not know how harmful they are. How about choosing Pro-biotics (for life) miso soup, kim chee, kombucha or capsules.

If you get scratched or cut the best is Tea Tree Oil to clean or even plain water with a little hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar added.

[overherebc]

Doesn't alcohol consumption negate the effects of antibiotics? Seems like it would be a waste of effort, unless you happen to be one of those strange teetotaler characters..

-Mestizo

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

You can drink alcohol when taking antibiotics.

The story started when antibiotics were given to the armed forces in the early 40's as an extra punishment as the first attack on clap described in the army as a self inflicted wound.

Some very new antibiotics, example is anti parasitic ones like metrazidanole can cause side effects when taken with booze but it doesn't change their action on the parasite, Giardia.

[laislica]

Anti-biotics (against life) are very dangerous and given out freely by hospitals and doctors in Thailand because they do not know how harmful they are. How about choosing Pro-biotics (for life) miso soup, kim chee, kombucha or capsules.

If you get scratched or cut the best is Tea Tree Oil to clean or even plain water with a little hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar added.

I couldn't agree more.

It was such a miss use of antibiotics by the armed forces in the Vietnam war that created "The Black Rose of Saigon", a bacterial infection with no cure - back in the day (circa 1969).

If it ain't broke - don't fix it!

[crazydrummerpauly]

Doesn't alcohol consumption negate the effects of antibiotics? Seems like it would be a waste of effort, unless you happen to be one of those strange teetotaler characters..

-Mestizo

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

You can drink alcohol when taking antibiotics.

The story started when antibiotics were given to the armed forces in the early 40's as an extra punishment as the first attack on clap described in the army as a self inflicted wound.

Some very new antibiotics, example is anti parasitic ones like metrazidanole can cause side effects when taken with booze but it doesn't change their action on the parasite, Giardia.

Yep - no medical reason not to drink and take antibiotics - it's a myth that it is a problem. About WHY people with the clap and other STDs were told not to drink - my own understanding as a client at London clinics way back, was that it was to help people not lose control and have sex again before they were 'clean'.

[Garry]

There is no reason whatsoever for "prophylactic antibiotics" for this reason at all; it would be considered misuse of antibiotic drugs which only serves to contribute to the dilemma we find ourselves in with worldwide increasing bacterial resistance to antibiotics.

As above.

If any cuts or scratches are sustained, cleanse the area well and apply an antiseptic. That's all.

As for mouthfuls of moat water -- 1) Don't swallow. 2) If you do swallow a little bit, don't worry. Stomach acid kills off most bugs. The food you eat everyday is hardly sterile.

I use Terramycin for small cuts & scrapes for my family and myself. Comes in two styles: an eye cream and a general cream, but I have used both types on skin wounds with the same good results. Don't be put off by it being an eye cream, as I had a bad cut to my shin and my doctor prescribed me Terramycin in the wound dressing changes. It really is that good.

Sent from my SM-T211 using Tapatalk

EDIT: oops typos from my tablet

[sustento]

Doesn't alcohol consumption negate the effects of antibiotics? Seems like it would be a waste of effort, unless you happen to be one of those strange teetotaler characters..

-Mestizo

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

You can drink alcohol when taking antibiotics.

The story started when antibiotics were given to the armed forces in the early 40's as an extra punishment as the first attack on clap described in the army as a self inflicted wound.

Some very new antibiotics, example is anti parasitic ones like metrazidanole can cause side effects when taken with booze but it doesn't change their action on the parasite, Giardia.

Yep - no medical reason not to drink and take antibiotics - it's a myth that it is a problem.

Good luck with that if you're taking metronidazole or tinidazole.

[bluebluewater]

Yer thinkin' too mutt

[peterb17]

Bad idea!

Taking antibiotics also destroy your stomach flora the good bacterias in your gut so it is better to take them only if you have a infection with medical advice from a doctor telling you the right kind and how long you have to take them.

Well said, have a friend who takes a whole range of antibiotics when in Thailand, have tried to explain it screws up the gut flora and could cause real problems ( maybe will leave it to your imagination why- nothing to do with a dodgy oyster)

Never take antibiotics unless you really need them.

[beau thai]

I think I read of a tv poster who got cholera at songkran last year-but he is mysteriously quiet this year. Hmm...

[Andre0720]

It is known that some doctors prescribe antibiotics too freely.

Now if we add to that people self-administering antibiotics, the problem could become 10 fold...

Antibiotics are not to be used in the same fashion as condoms....

[opalred]

drink red bull fix everything in thai . or namkao whisky better still kill everything in gut

cheers

[ggt]

Go to the top of a condo or hotel and view the festivities from a distance...drink a few antibiotic brews with friends...

[Mudcrab]

There is no reason whatsoever for "prophylactic antibiotics" for this reason at all; it would be considered misuse of antibiotic drugs which only serves to contribute to the dilemma we find ourselves in with worldwide increasing bacterial resistance to antibiotics.

As above.

If any cuts or scratches are sustained, cleanse the area well and apply an antiseptic. That's all.

As for mouthfuls of moat water -- 1) Don't swallow. 2) If you do swallow a little bit, don't worry. Stomach acid kills off most bugs. The food you eat everyday is hardly sterile.

I use Terramycin for small cuts & scrapes for my family and myself. Comes in two styles: an eye cream and a general cream, but I have used both types on skin wounds with the same good results. Don't be put off by it being an eye cream, as I had a bad cut to my shin and my doctor prescribed me Terramycin in the wound dressing changes. It really is that good.

Sent from my SM-T211 using Tapatalk

EDIT: oops typos from my tablet

Ah Shins ...apparently the root of all evil

[Cheesekraft]

you should not take antibiotics unless you have a condition that could escalate pretty severely, they are extremely over-prescribed as is. Better off taking vitamin c and some other beneficial antioxidants and hoping for the best.