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Ask the Medical Experts in Indonesia

Do you have a medical question pertaining to living in Indonesia? If so, contact us. Medical staff at International SOS have generously agreed to answer your questions!

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Is it possible to get reliable DNA testing in Indonesia to prove parentage/paternity? The answer

I have been wanting to find an English and Bahasa speaking doctor for pshychiatric theropy. Any recomendations? The answer

I am going to Indonesia in July/August and need some advice on Malaria tablets. I do want to take them as I get bitten a lot! Our planned itinerary: North Sumatra: 10 days Java and Bali: 12 days Gili Islands (off Lombok): 5 days From what I have read we need Chloroquine taken with Proguanil for Northern Sumatra which we must take for 4 wks after leaving. I also have read we need them for the Gilis as it is Chloroquine resistant. So I was planning on taking Doxi or Malarone. My issue: When I start taking Malarone or Doxi I will still be taking Chloroquine and Proguanil (as I have to continue for 4 weeks). Is it safe to start taking Malarone and Doxi while still taking Chloroquine and Proguanil? What are my options? Does Malarone or Doxi still work in North Sumatra? If yes, then I could do this. Although, I would prefer not to as Malarone is expensive. Hope you can help! The answer

Tonight we discovered what looked like white worms in our eight year old's stool. He has been complaining of itching in that area for the past few days and the feeling of needing to go to the toilet for #2. Referring to a medical book it would appear that Ovex is recommended; is this correct? Is it available in Jakarta? Can this be bought over the counter or do we have to visit a GP? What do you recommend? Does the whole family (parents + 8 year old + 4 year old ) have to be treated, just in case? The answer

We are planning on spending four days in Lombok with our 6 and 10 year old daughters. We will be staying in the coastal resorts in very good hotels, in Kuta and Senggigi. I am hesitant to give them the weekly chloroquine pills and daily proguanil pills that have been recommended for such a trip as I am worried about side effects while we are in Bali where the medical attention won't be as good as it is in England. Would it make sense to give them the pills several weeks ahead of time while we are still in England to see if they have a bad reaction? What kind of risk are we running if we give them no pills at all but take preventative measures? Is there a risk if we give them just the chloroquine pills weekly? Just how prevalent is the chloroquine resistant strains of malaria? I understand that Malarone is another alternative but not available in the UK. Is it thought that Malarone is preferable for young children? The answer

My wife has been having a noise in her left ear for the last 2 weeks. It seemed to start with a cold but that has cleared up now and the noise remains. At times it is quite loud and disturbing. It seems to diminish during the day but increases when trying to sleep at night. Its very stressful and the Dr. she has seen has prescribed antibiotics without really explaining what the cause and treatment is. Can you suggest a proper plan to diagnose this and perhaps an ENT expert to visit? The answer

We are a group, who regularly dives in the Thousand Island area. We are trying to establish an emergency plan in case of any diving emergency. When diving in Matahari, Sepa, Bira area, if an accident happens, who should we contact for transfer to Jakarta, medical assistance, etc.? Are there any decompression chambers in Jakarta open to the public (who to contact?). Your assistance in this will be highly appreciated. The answer

I moved to Indonesia - Jakarta some 4 months ago and I would like to know if you knew about a recognized lung specialist/allergist in Jakarta and if not here, what are the options in Singapore or Australia?

I have reoccurring bronchitis - more especifically acquired bronchiectasis and in these past months have had continuous cough with sputum. I have visited 2 specialists in a major hospital, but I dont seem to get better and have a bit of difficulties in comunicating. The answer

What are my chances of contracting AIDS through casual sex in Indonesia? What precautions can I take against transmission? The answer

Does anyone have a suggestion regarding a good urologist for consultation? Thanks! The answer

Do you have a listing of obstetricians/gynocologists who are reputable in the expat community? I am expecting this September and would like to find out my options before I arrive in country. The answer

I would like to ask for referrals a doctor in Singapore who specializes in choosing a child's gender. Would you happen to know anyone there? The answer

I am trying to set up a workup for my 9-year old grandson currently in Europe, but will soon be enroute to Jakarta. He has ADHD. The local specialist in this matter wants followup visits about every 2 months. The grandson will be here early August and then to Jakarta mid-August. What Western-trained physicians are there in Jakarta who could do followup work? I need to present the local Charleston pediatrician with as much hard data as possible. The answer

Does someone know if there are in-vitro fecundation centers in Indonesia, and if they can do an ICSI program? Our first child is born through IVF in Switzerland and we plan to move soon to Indonesia. The answer

I've got a couple of questions about health services in Jakarta. 1. Are there international quality hospitals in Jakarta? Where do most expats go? 2. Do hospitals screen blood for HIV & Hepatitas? The answer

My 18 month old son has a persistent cough which seems to disappear when we return home for holidays. My son's doctor at International SOS thinks he may be sensitive to the air in Jakarta. My query is whether purchasing one of the air cleaners available (e.g. Phillips Air Cleaner) would make any difference to the air my son would breathe at night in his room. The answer

I'm moving to Surabaya to work next week, and I've run up against a problem. I was told here in the UK that I didn't need vaccination for Japanese B encephalitis in Java, and that I could get myself vaccinated there (for holidays and onward travel). I know the first part of that advice is true - but what about the second? My boss-to-be has contacted a couple of clinics who think it's unavailable. Since I'm leaving so soon, I could only have the first shot. Should I just bring the other doses of the vaccine in a chilled environment, with the risk of getting it overheated at some point in the journey (I have a stopover in Singapore), or are there other ways to deal with the problem (having it delivered?) Any advice very welcome. The answer

We wish to take a holiday in Lombok at one of the coastal resorts. Last week (end of October) we heard that cerebral malaria is on the increase in Lombok. What is the opinion of the experts of this? Is Lombok becoming more risky than in previous years? We havn't booked yet, but just want to examine the risks. The answer

I am an American who is interested in visiting Indonesia to see for myself what it is like and if I would like to make my home there. I do have a medical question though, which I hope you can help me with. Being as I am an Insulin dependant Diabetic ..... how do I negotiate having the needles I need (either bringing them with me or purchasing them while I'm there) to give myself my Insulin injections ??? I understand Indonesia has a bad drug problem and penalties are severe for those breaking (or mistakenly percieved as breaking) the current drug laws). I also take some other prescription drugs in pill form. Any helpful information you could give me would be much appreciated. The answer

Where can I learn about Hepatitis C's causes / cures / how to live with it? The answer

What is the rational explenation of thrombocytpenia in dengue fever?? What does happen to the structure of platelets, what does it release, and what is causing the low thrombocyte count. Does it have something to do with the bleeding in gum, nose, etc?? What does the virus do to the platelet? The answer

I am due to fly home to have my baby in July. My doctor in Jakarta has perscribed the drug Duvadilan, which he says I should take just before the flight. Is this OK? The answer

We are currently living in Bali and my 3 year old son has just been diagnosed with Salmonella Typhi. The report says it is Salmonella Paratyphi A. We had the blood test done yesterday at Quantum. I'm not so sure that I trust the diagnoses totally and would like to know of other tests I may need to ask for. His symptoms have been on and off for the last 3 weeks. First week he had a fever for 2 days. The second week he had fever for 3 days with sore ears and glands were enlarged. No thirst. The 3 rd week, he has a very sore mouth with small white blisters and the gums are red and swollen. There is a red line around some of the bottom teeth. It looks to be coming away from the gums. A very yellow tongue. The doctor says his abdomen does not seem normal.He has a soft stool each morning but not diahorreah. His fever has broke now but I am worried that it will come back worse next week. Have you ever heard of these mouth symptoms before? Is there any info you can give me? I would appreciate ANY help. I am not a great believer in antibiotics but am about to start him on Thyamphenicol. The answer

I am a thirty year old male of mediteranian origin, and have G6PD.I would like to know what chemical prophylactics I can safley take while traveling into a malria area for work purposes. Any response in this regard would be much appreciated. The answer

Are CT scans of the head available in either Bali, or Jakarta? If so, where? The answer

Can you recommend a good physiotherapy clinic in Jakarta, preferably with iso-kinetic machines? The answer

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Do you have a medical question pertaining to living in Indonesia? If so, contact us. Medical staff at International SOS have generously agreed to answer your questions for this forum.

We trust this information will assist you in making correct choices regarding your health and welfare. However, it is not intended to be a substitute for personalized advice from your medical adviser.