COVID-19 treatment in Patong
COVID-19 has not gone away, and it still disrupts travel plans more than almost anything else. Testing, treatment and the paperwork airlines and insurers ask for are all handled at our clinic. COVID-19 treatment in Patong is available 24 hours a day on Prachanukroh Road, without an appointment.
Testing
We offer rapid antigen tests with results in about fifteen minutes, and PCR testing where a laboratory-confirmed result is needed. Some airlines, insurers and employers still require PCR, so tell us what the result is for and we will run the right test rather than the cheapest one.
Test results come with a signed certificate in English carrying the clinic stamp and the doctor’s licence number, which is the format that gets accepted.
Symptoms and what else it could be
COVID-19 now usually presents like a heavy cold: sore throat, blocked or runny nose, cough, headache, tiredness and sometimes fever. Loss of taste and smell is much less common than it once was.
The complication in Phuket is that fever with aches and headache could equally be flu or dengue, and dengue changes how we treat pain. Where the picture is unclear we test for more than one thing rather than assuming.
Treatment for most people
Most healthy travellers need supportive care: rest, fluids, paracetamol for fever and aches, something for a sore throat and cough. In this heat, keeping fluid intake up matters more than at home, and we give an IV drip when someone cannot drink enough.
Antibiotics do not treat COVID-19, and we will not prescribe them unless a bacterial infection develops on top of it.
When antiviral treatment is worth it
Antiviral medicine can reduce the risk of severe illness in people at higher risk, and like flu antivirals it works best when started early, generally within five days of symptoms starting.
It is worth discussing if you are over 60, pregnant, immunosuppressed, or living with diabetes, obesity, chronic lung, heart, liver or kidney disease. The doctor checks your other medicines carefully first, because some antivirals interact with a long list of common drugs.
Warning signs
Come back or go to hospital if you become short of breath, have chest pain or tightness, feel confused or unusually drowsy, cannot keep fluids down, have blue-tinged lips, or if your oxygen level drops below 94 per cent. We check oxygen at every visit and can lend advice on monitoring it if you have a pulse oximeter.
Isolation and practical advice
Thailand no longer enforces strict isolation rules, but staying away from other people while you are symptomatic remains sensible and considerate, particularly in shared accommodation. Wear a mask if you must be around others, and avoid tours and crowded venues until symptoms settle.
Tell your hotel. Most Patong hotels handle this routinely and can arrange food to your room, which is easier than trying to manage alone.
Flying and insurance paperwork
Requirements change and vary by airline and destination, so check yours directly. If a negative test or a doctor’s letter is needed, we provide both. If you are unwell and have to postpone travel, we supply the medical documentation your insurer will want for a trip-disruption claim, including diagnosis and dates.
Common questions about COVID-19 treatment in Patong
How fast are results?
Rapid antigen tests take about fifteen minutes. PCR results usually come back within 24 hours.
How much does testing cost in Patong?
Rapid tests cost less than PCR. Message us with what you need and we will quote both.
Can you test me at my hotel?
Yes, we test and treat during hotel visits across Patong.
Do I get a certificate?
Yes, in English with the clinic stamp and doctor’s details, suitable for airlines and insurers.
How long until I test negative?
Most people test negative within five to ten days, though some stay positive longer. Airlines rarely require a negative test now, so check yours.