We strongly recommend you seek medical advice relevant to the length of your stay in Thailand. Please appreciate all volunteers arrive with us from different circumstances so the safest advice is for them to investigate this individually.

Please take the time to research all relevant medical needs prior to your trip as Fernthai Volunteer Foundation cannot be held responsible for medical emergencies resulting from negligence on your part.

The following is a list of precautions that may have to be taken:

Typhoid Fever
A serious infection caught from contaminated food or water. It is prevalent in areas where sanitation is poor.

Hepatitis A
Like typhoid fever this disease is spread by contaminated water or food wherever there is poor sanitation.

Hepatitis B
Is a highly infectious virus spread through blood, semen and other body fluids. Contact even through tiny quantities of an infected person's body fluid can pass the virus on.

Diphtheria
Is a serious disease spread through droplets contained in coughs and sneezes. Tetanus Is a potentially fatal disease. It is contracted when spores in the soil enter the body through cuts and scratches. This disease exists throughout the world.

Polio
May cause paralysis and, in some cases, can be fatal. Although polio has been wiped out in industrialised nations, it is still a risk in some developing countries.

Japanese B Encephalitis
Is a life threatening virus which affects the brain. It is spread by mosquitoes during the rainy seasons in SE Asia and the Far East.

Yellow Fever
This inoculation is not needed to join our volunteer programme in thailand. However, please be aware, Thailand passport control will not allow entry travelling from a Yellow Fever registered country entry into Thailand without a proof of inoculation certificate.

Malaria
The world health organisation's Malaria infected areas reveals that our base camp is outside of any infected regions. However, it must be noted that it is close to the borders of these regions. The taking of malarial tablets is solely at the discretion of the individuals. To the best of Fern Thais knowledge no cases of malaria have been recorded in the area. Should any volunteer require the extra reassurance of taking this precaution they should also be aware of some of the severe side effects that can be associated with taking this precaution.

Rabies
Can be a fatal disease which humans contract from the bite of a rabid animal. Although this inoculation can extend the time required for seeking medical attention following a bite, the inoculation itself will not cure the disease. The camp is located within 2km of a medical centre but should more extreme medical assistance be required the nearest hospital is only 23km away.

As daunting as the above information is, it is merely here as a guide and in most cases only applies to longer term volunteers

Extra Advice
Food And Water
Avoid eating shellfish, salads, unpeeled fruit and uncooked food, make sure cooked food is piping hot. Remember "Boil It, Cook It, Peel It or Forget It". Drink either mineral water or sealed bottled/canned drinks at all times, including when cleaning your teeth. Avoid ice in your drinks if at all possible as it could contain ice made from tap water. Instead try to stand your glass in ice. Ask your pharmacist about oral rehydration therapy to help you cope in case of dehydration. Carry anti-diarrhoea tablets.
Sun
Avoid prolonged sun exposure from 11.00am to 3.00pm. Always use appropriate strength sun block suiting your skin type. Remember "Slip on a shirt, Slop on some sunscreen and Slap on a hat".
Insects
Use insect repellents. Take antihistamine tablets/cream to treat insect bites or skin rashes.
Sex
Fernthai Volunteer Foundation strictly forbids sex within the camp at any time during your stay and WILL ask anyone suspected of breaking this rule to leave. However, during the rest of your stay in Thailand we recommend you take note of the following guidelines; casual sex is dangerous, especially in Thailand. It brings with it the risk of contracting hepatitis B, HIV and many other sexually-transmitted diseases. Always use good quality condoms.
First Aid
The carrying of a small first aid kit is advisable. Consult you medical advisor for advice on what this should contain.