Singapore Hotels & Malaysia Hotels
About Singapore Malaysia

HEALTHY TRAVELER 2

Singapore doesn't require that you have any vaccinations to enter the country, but strongly recommends immunization against diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis A and B, and typhoid. If you're particularly worried, follow their advice; if you're the intrepid type, ignore it.

While there's no risk of contracting malaria (the country's been declared malaria-free for decades by the World Health Organization), there is a similar deadly virus, dengue fever (also just called dengue), that's carried by mosquitoes and has no immunization. Dengue fever is a problem in the tropics around the world; however, Singapore has an aggressive campaign to prevent the responsible mosquitoes from breeding, spraying dark corners with insecticide and enforcing laws so people mop up pools of stagnant water. Symptoms of dengue fever include sudden fever and tiny red spotty rashes on the body. If you suspect you've contracted dengue, seek medical attention immediately (see the listing of hospitals under "Fast Facts," later in this singapore & malaysia websection). If left untreated, this disease can cause internal hemorrhaging and even death. Your best protection is to wear insect repellent, especially if you're heading out to the zoo, bird park, or any of the gardens or nature preserves.

Singapore has a whole slew of snakes, and they're not only in the deepest, darkest parts of the island-sometimes they're forced from their homes by construction and left to look for trouble in more populated areas. The venomous kinds are cobras, kraits, coral snakes, pit vipers, and sea snakes. If you encounter a sea snake, don't splash around, as this will just encourage an attack.

If you're bitten by a snake, keep yourself calm, try to position the wounded area below the level of your heart, and wrap a tourniquet loosely above the wound (but not on a joint). Don't take any aspirin or other medications unless it's an over-the-counter pain reliever that doesn't contain aspirin. There are only two facilities in Singapore with snake antivenin: Singapore General Hospital, Outram Road ( 65/6222-3322), and National University Hospital, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Rd. ( CCJ 65/6779-5555).

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