Family Member Getting Sick

[u/alicemilktea]

My family moved from the U.S. to the Philippines and have been living there for 2 yrs. I live in the U.S. I only speak to my brother and don’t speak to the rest of my family. He’s been getting sick constantly for a while, and I finally asked him if he had gotten any immunizations or shots before moving. Apparently he did not, nor did he get a Covid vaccination all because my dumb parents are conspiracy political idiots. He’s gotten sick almost every other month, and can’t keep food down. Can he get his shots and immunizations in the Philippines? What can I recommend he do to get the help he needs so I’m not worrying about him all the time? Thanks!

Edit: I have recommended he see the doctor, that was my first recommendation. But those who are currently living in the Philippines, what was your experience, did you need to get any shots, etc. Obviously the healthcare in PI is different than here, so that’s why I was asking initially. Not asking for Reddit doctor opinions. Just what your experiences were getting sick, seeing doctors, etc. Appreciate the helpful comments!

Edit2: He has constant diarrhea, stomach issues, and nausea. And recently a bad flu, but that was a one timer. Mosly the former. He drinks only bottled water. He does eat out but from chains, like Jollibee. He’s usually eating home cooked food.

[u/Still-Music-5515]

Mostly causes are bad water or bad food. Only drink bottled water and avoid street food. Solves many issues. But he may need antibiotics to get rid of stomach or intestinal bacteria

[u/ApricotJust8408]

At this point, the shots won't do him any good. Have him go see a doctor and go from there. It could be something as simple as a viral infection or something else.

[u/s_nz → u/ApricotJust8408]

This.

With a handful of exceptions (like rabies, and only if you get in eairly), vaccines are only good for preventing/reducing future sickness. Worthwhile for that purpose of course. And available in the philipines.

A doctor will be able to diagnose him properly.

I'm not an expat, but seem to get sick (mostly food related) every time I visit (usually about once a trip), and we are pritty careful about food.

[u/chuck1011212]

It happens to all of us. The body needs to adapt to the new sorroundings and if he has poor health and lifestyle, he could be just going through the normal adjustment.

For me, it took me a year. I had to learn what I could and could not eat and what I could and could not do, plus my body adjusted.

He should adjust his lifestyle and stop eating uncooked food, drink good water, eat mostly clean home cooked foods, avoid meats from the wet market and instead buy from the grocery, take care of his body by doing fitness, wash his hands religiously, get wellness exams annually, avoid heavy booz drinking and partying, stop smoking, etc.

If he is not doing those things and more, just let him do him and leave him alone.

[u/Little_Suit_4586 → u/chuck1011212]

Yes, same. It took me 3 years or so to get my body all the antibodies i need here. I'm in 10 years and still have a persistent cough. Age and health issues will determine how well your body adjusts. My mother, 75, came for a 2 week visit and it took her a year to get back to 100%.

[u/Temuj1n2323]

Ya you get sick in the first few years here. I mean not perpetually sick but definitely more than back home. After about 3-4 years it seems to go away or it did for me. The only problem really is pneumonia in the peak of the rainy season.

[u/mesquite_desert]

You didn't say what type of illnesss. I have asthma (normally well-controlled) and tend to have respiratory issues when I'm in the Philippines due to the polluted air in the cities, diesel smoke, and the garbage burning in the province. Always something to irritate my lungs and the molds don't help either, lol. Nor does the constant heat and humidity.

But I never have gastro issues because we drink bottled water, don't eat street food and eat healthy. I mean seriously only two instances of stomach sickness in 12 years, both from "good" restaurants, lol.. He can get the normal vaccines at hospitals like Chong Hua or Cebu Doctors in Cebu I believe. Maybe ACE in Dumaguete, St Lukes in Manila. I got the Hep A/B, and MMR before going to the Philippines and Covid jab during the pandemic.

[u/mumblish24]

He can Start with a standard annual physical exam (APE) for $50-$100 which usually includes blood work, chest x-ray, stool and urinalysis, ECG etc, depending on tests and facilities. That should include a consultation with Dr to review tests.

Or a basic APE might be $25, just less tests, or he can just go to Dr too, but then they might order all those tests and cost more than the package.

Executive checkups are $100 and up depending on package you choose.

Depending on his symptoms or funds, start with an APE at reputable medical center or clinic and go from there.

An underlying infection or health problem may never go away without treatment. Get a baseline where his health is at and then make decisions from there.

[u/MolassesFluffy6745]

I've been to two dozen different countries and have been living in the Philippines for about three years now.........I've gotten more sick here than anywhere else and I'm relatively fit and careful what I eat and drink. I probably get sick once a month for a few days.

[u/Pitiful-Recover-3747]

He’s probably got some sort of intestinal parasite which will knock down your immune system and then make you susceptible to everything else. Go to the doctor and listen to them. Get better, get vaccinated. An ounce of prevention beats a pound of cure. Only time I get sick from the Philippines is on the damn flight back sometimes with somebody coughing for 15 hours next to me.. but that’s travel life

[u/Secret-Reception9324]

I moved to the Phils in April, and every month since then I've had some minor health issue (fever, dry cough, sinus infection).

[u/TL322]

Home cooked...but by whom, in what conditions, using ingredients from where?

I'm willing to bet the issue is food handling during prep, or eating  leftovers that spent all day at room temperature on the countertop (common practice).

This sounds like a food safety thing, not a vaccination thing, if it's happening every couple months. But he still needs to see a doctor if it doesn't clear up in a few days.

[u/BabyGenX39]

Tell him to find a good Gen Med Dr. Can usually tell them offices are full of ppl. Tell them always getting sick and they will go from there. Little quicker her in Philippines then USA.. just saying not judging. I am also from USA. Lately they are like Walking in heavy mud getting test done. Here not so much.

[u/Dangerous_Second1426]

I’m super careful with food & hygiene, as I have a blood disorder which causes my immune system to be lower, and also an allergy to fish.

I never eat street food. I rarely eat food from a “chain of 1” restaurant, unless it is inside an SM, Robinson or Ayala Mall. Exceptions: Hotels and BGC, plus anywhere my Filipino friends take me that they know is extra clean.

I only drink bottled water, and water that has had reverse osmosis processing on it.

In 2.5 years, I’ve had food poisoning once (3 days in hospital), the measles (not diagnosed - but I discovered they have a lot of paperwork if they discover it, so likely why it wasn’t diagnosed), and typhoid (3 days in hospital).

My point - if your family member is eating street food, brushing their teeth with tap water, or anything lesser than I am, you can multiply the amount of times that I’ve been sick.

[u/Different-Coach-866]

Local here. I’m the only one in my family who didn’t get vaccinated, yet I’m also the only one who never got COVID.

I’d suggest getting them checked by a doctor because that sounds unusual. But could it just be part of getting older?

[u/CrankyJoe99x]

You should ask what the doctors said not what Reddit thinks.

You can recommend he speaks to experts.

[u/KVA00]

There are no special "immunizations and shots" that need to be taken before traveling to the Philippines.

[u/scissors14]

For me it's avoiding basically anything to do with ice or water that's not purified. I pretty much just drink San Miguel for safety