I moved a holiday paradise to live a luxe, cheap life… but an illness you don't get in the UK led to a £2k hospital bill
Back in May, Claudia, a content creator who is originally from the UK but now lives in Koh Samui, Thailand, and her boyfriend, ended up in hospital after experiencing a fever, chills, vomiting and a nasty rash that spread 'all over' their bodies.
2
Not only did they have to have 'daily blood tests', but they were also whacked with a £2,000 hospital bill.
Eager to inform others about dengue fever, which is not found in the UK and cannot be caught from another person, Claudia, who quit her corporate job to move abroad, took to social media to reveal all.
She acknowledged that she and her partner both spent time in hospital after they treated themselves to a luxury hotel stay for their anniversary.
Whilst at the 'incredible' hotel, Claudia recognised: 'We both started experiencing extreme symptoms like fever, chills, nausea and vomiting and after a couple of days of this and barely leaving the room because we felt awful, we went to the doctors and they confirmed it was dengue fever.'
Dengue, also known as dengue fever, is an infection spread by mosquitoes.
According to the NHS website, dengue fever is 'not usually serious and often gets better on its own.'
The NHS also recognised that 'some people get a more severe type of dengue, but this is rare.'
Dengue fever is often found in tropical areas such as parts of Africa and Asia, Central and South America, the Caribbean, the Pacific islands and some southern areas of North America.
There is also a risk of getting it from spring to November in parts of southern Europe, including Croatia, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Madeira.
There is a vaccine that helps protect against dengue fever and it is recommended for people who have had, or might have had dengue in the past and are travelling to a part of the world where dengue is common.
I felt like I'd been hit by a truck and put it down to heat stroke - it was a killer holiday virus
You can get advice from a travel clinic if you're travelling to a part of the world where dengue is common, but if you need the vaccine, you'll have to pay for it privately.
Opening up on their dengue fever experience, Claudia, who now has cheap rent and reduced living costs thanks to living in Thailand, added: 'We had to get daily blood tests and eventually they told us we had to be admitted to hospital because our platelets dropped into critical condition.
'We were in hospital for three nights being monitored and had more symptoms like muscle aches, extreme fatigue and a crazy itchy rash all over our bodies.
What are the symptoms of dengue fever?
Dengue won't always cause symptoms, according to NHS guidance.
But if you do experience some, they'll usually come on four to 10 days after an infected mosquito bites you.
The symptoms can be similar to the flu and include:
Fever
Severe headache
Pain behind the eyes
Muscle and joint pain
Nausea and vomiting
Widespread rash
Abdominal pain
Loss of appetite
There is no cure or specific treatment.
Patients can relieve their symptoms via painkillers, staying hydrated and resting.
In rare cases, dengue symptoms can develop into severe dengue.
Elderly patients, or those with other medical conditions, are most at risk.
Severe dengue fever symptoms can include:
Severe skin bleeding with spots of blood on and under the skin
Blood in the urine and stools
Respiratory distress - when the lungs cannot provide the vital organs with enough oxygen
Organ failure
Changes in mental state and unconsciousness
Dangerously low blood pressure
You should call 999 or go to A&E if you experience any of the severe symptoms.
'The hospital was so nice, it was like a five star hotel and we had our own room and nurses on call 24/7 looking after us.'
The 31-year-old travel enthusiast, who was just 24 when she first ventured to the ' paradise island ', shared her concern about how big the hospital bill was going to be, and later confirmed: 'The hospital stay cost around £2,000 total, but luckily we were insured - we only paid £100, the insurance covered the rest directly with the hospital.'
Shortly after posting the clip, Claudia confirmed that she hadn't received a dengue fever injection in the past, as when she left the UK six years ago, the vaccine 'didn't exist.'
Social media users react
The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ islandlifewithclaudia, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 417,200 views, 9,331 likes and 227 comments.
Social media users were stunned by Claudia's experience and flocked to the comments to share their experiences with dengue fever.
One person said: 'I caught dengue in Bali. Worst week of my life, the fever and headache was on another level.'
Another added: 'I feel for you, I had dengue in Costa Rica. Was horrific.'
A third commented: 'Dengue is the worst.'
Meanwhile, someone else wrote: 'I had it in Argentina. Again good insurance covered me but was horrid thing to have. Glad you're both ok.'
Not only this, but another user gasped: 'Urgh mosquitoes love me… I have new fears.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
31 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
The dangerous ingredients tied to cancer and dementia lurking in America's favorite canned cocktails
With summer in full swing, experts are warning against enjoying popular canned cocktails over fears they may accelerate cancer development. Alcohol is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning that it can cause damage to cell DNA. Your browser does not support iframes.
.jpg%3Ftrim%3D0%2C0%2C0%2C0%26width%3D1200%26height%3D800%26crop%3D1200%3A800&w=3840&q=100)
The Independent
6 hours ago
- The Independent
Doctor warns of hand symptom that can reveal advanced lung cancer
A Brooklyn doctor warns that a modest transformation in fingernails could indicate lung cancer. Dr. Davood Johari, a pulmonary and critical care specialist at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County, told the New York Post that 5 percent to 15 percent of lung cancer patients develop nail clubbing, which typically appears in later stages of the disease, often too late for effective intervention. 'Fingertips appear wider and rounder than normal, with the nails curving downwards, resembling an upside-down spoon,' Johari said as August 1 marks World Lung Cancer Day. 'The nail bed, the area under the nail, feels spongy and softer,' he added. 'The fingertip might be red or feel warmer than usual.' The exact cause of nail clubbing and the connection to lung cancer isn't fully known, but it may result from hormone-like substances produced by tumors that widen blood vessels in the fingers, increasing blood flow and causing fluid buildup under the nails. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths globally, with about 226,650 new U.S. diagnoses expected this year, leading to nearly 125,000 deaths. Johari urges that anyone who notices persistent changes in nail color, shape, or thickness lasting more than two weeks, even without other symptoms to seek medical attention. People with other lung cancer symptoms including a persistent cough, voice changes, unexplained weight loss or fatigue, ongoing shoulder pain that worsens at night, vision issues, or drooping eyelids, should also consult a doctor, he said. Lung cancer evaluations usually start with a medical history review, physical exam and imaging, with a biopsy required for a definitive diagnosis. Nail clubbing can also indicate other serious conditions like chronic lung infections, heart defects, gastrointestinal diseases and autoimmune disorders. Johari said that other nail changes such as dark streaks, persistent bruises, nail lifting or bleeding, may also signal various forms of cancer and shouldn't be ignored. 'Many nail changes are harmless and may be related to aging, injury and trauma or everyday activities like using nail polish,' Johari told the outlet. 'However, any changes in nail color, nail shape or thickness, which are persistent and last for more than a couple of weeks, should be checked by a physician.' While smoking is the most well-known cause of lung cancer, several other risk factors can also lead to the disease. One major cause is radon exposure, a naturally occurring, odorless, colorless and tasteless gas that is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US, particularly among non-smokers, according to the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center. High, unsafe levels of radon are commonly found in rock, soil and groundwater. Testing homes for radon and understanding local regulations are key to reducing exposure, and fortunately, high radon levels can often be lowered through effective mitigation. Age is another factor, with two-thirds of lung cancer cases diagnosed in individuals over 65 years old, and most occurring in those over 45, per the source. A family or personal history of lung cancer also increases risk. Additional environmental and occupational exposures, such as to arsenic, asbestos, cadmium, chromium, uranium and certain petroleum products, can contribute to lung cancer development. Air pollution, prior radiation therapy to the chest or breast and a history of lung diseases such as tuberculosis further elevate the risk.
The Sun
10 hours ago
- The Sun
The one mistake people make when it comes to a sore throat – as doctor warns it could be ‘vague' sign of deadly disease
WE'VE all been there, when a scratchy tickle suddenly blossoms into a sore throat that makes swallowing feel like sandpaper. And while most sore throats are harmless and go away on their own, a leading specialist warns not to ignore one that lingers. 4 Doctor Jiri Kubes, an oncologist from the Proton Therapy Center in Prague, said a persistent itch could be an early sign of head or neck cancer. 'People assume it's just an infection or acid reflux, especially if they're otherwise healthy,' the expert said. 'But when a sore throat won't go away and it doesn't respond to normal treatments, it's time to investigate.' Earlier this month, The Sun reported that Rock star David Roach has been diagnosed with a "very aggressive" form of cancer after symptoms of a 'fever and a cough'. The band has launched a GoFundMe while also confirming David is 'battling aggressive squamous cell carcinoma affecting his head, neck, and throat '. This would suggest that David has head and neck cancer, of which squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type. Val Kilmer, best known for movies such as 1986's Top Gun and 1995's Batman Forever, died of pneumonia this April. The actor's death follows years of rumoured health problems, one of which he opened up about in a 2017 interview. Speaking to the Hollywood Reporter, Kilmer revealed he had a two-year fight with throat cancer after being diagnosed in 2014. Head and neck cancers can occur in more than 30 parts of head and neck, including the mouth, throat, nose, sinuses, ears and salivary glands. But collectively, head and neck cancer is the eighth most common type of the disease in the UK. There are around 13,000 new cases every year - or 35 every day - and numbers are increasing 30 per cent each decade, experts warn. It kills more than 4,000 annually. Symptoms of head and neck cancer, like Dr Jiri said, can be subtle, or resemble other less serious conditions, meaning it is often diagnosed at a late stage. But the earlier it's caught, the better the chance of successful treatment and ultimately, survival. Symptoms can include: Persistent sore throat Ear pain without infection Hoarseness or voice changes Trouble swallowing Lump in the neck Unexplained weight loss 'If you've had a sore throat for more than three weeks, especially if it's on one side, or you have ear pain without an infection, speak to your GP," the expert said. He added that while smokers and regular drinkers are more at risk, even people without obvious risk factors are being diagnosed. 'We're seeing rising cases in younger people with no obvious risk factors, particularly linked to HPV infections,' he said. 4 4 4 Recognising these symptoms is vital. But prevention is also key, and making several lifestyle changes can decrease your chance of developing cancer, the Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK (OHNCUK) say on its website. This includes: Quitting tobacco use (smoking cigarettes, cigars and pipes, chewing tobacco, e-cigarettes, and using snuff) Limiting alcohol intake Monitoring and taking care of your oral health Getting the HPV vaccine According to Cancer Research UK, up to 64 per cent of head and neck cancer cases are linked to exposure to tobacco smoke. Between 22 and 38 per cent are linked to alcohol consumption, and as many as 80 per cent are connected to HPV infection. Microplastics could raise cancer risk Environmental pollution from the air we breathe might also play a role, Dr Jiri warned. 'Microplastics and airborne pollutants can irritate delicate tissues in the throat and airways,' he said. 'We don't yet know the full impact. But chronic exposure could increase inflammation and potentially raise cancer risk over time.' He said most sore throats are harmless. But warned people to trust their gut if something feels off. 'Most sore throats are harmless. But if it drags on, get it checked,' he said. 'Cancers in this area are very treatable when caught early. Especially with targeted therapies like proton beam treatment.' Proton beam therapy is a precise type of radiation that targets cancer cells while causing less damage to surrounding healthy tissue. It's often used for hard-to-reach tumours and causes fewer side effects than standard radiotherapy, a common cancer treatment.
