Repellent, timing, and the symptoms worth knowing
Mosquitoes here are a nuisance rather than a menace, but dengue fever is real and present in Thailand, so a little repellent is worth the effort.
The mosquito that carries dengue bites in daylight, particularly around dawn and late afternoon — which catches out anyone expecting an evening-only problem. Numbers rise during and after the rainy season, when standing water is everywhere.
Dengue looks like this: sudden high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, aching muscles and joints, and often a rash a few days in. See a doctor rather than riding it out — a simple blood test confirms it.
Take paracetamol, not ibuprofen or aspirin, which affect clotting and can make dengue considerably worse. If someone deteriorates as the fever falls — severe abdominal pain, vomiting, bleeding gums, restlessness — that is the dangerous phase and needs a hospital immediately.
Most visitors get a few bites and nothing more. Pack a repellent you like the feel of, and you will use it.
We live here — ask us anything about Hua Hin and you will get the real answer.
