Plan for the unexpected! You don’t want to be googling for the nearest hospital or how to call an ambulance during a medical emergency when visiting a foreign country. Trust me-been there, done that!
When Thom and I both got Covid while in Florence on a trip, the first thing I did was start researching local medical care. I was surprised that they didn’t have the urgent care centers like we do in the US where you can just walk in and see a doctor with no appointment. In Florence, if you need immediate medical care, you have to go to the emergency room at the hospital. Some cities will have medical clinics, some won’t. However, pharmacists are very helpful in European countries. They will talk to you, ask about symptoms, and suggest medications. In Florence, I was able to get several meds that helped us with our mild Covid symptoms. I did have to buy a thermometer and an oximeter in Italy, both of which I now travel with on all our trips.
After travelling to Vietnam from our home base in China during my work assignment there, we started travelling with a robust first aid kit. Thom rolled his ankle stepping off a curb our first night in Hanoi on a vacation. We quickly found out that there is no ice in Vietnam, at least none that we could find, so he held a cold Coke can to his ankle to reduce the swelling. The pharmacies were not stocked well like Europe, but we finally found a wrap and he hobbled around on our Halong Bay cruise. Now we travel with an instant ice pack and that wrap.
I decided to write this post to help others when we stayed last month at a quaint Swiss hotel in Chur that was a wood beam concussion obstacle course (see pic above) waiting to happen. If/when Thom knocked himself out after running into a beam, I wondered what I would do. Did I want to depend on the night help that may or may not be staffing the hotel front desk? Do they even have a hospital here in the middle of the Alps? Luckily, we didn’t hurt ourselves on those charming low beams but next time I travel, I will be better prepared and research in advance so if, God forbid, something happens, I can quickly take the appropriate action. I put together the following list to help me and now you to prepare for possible medical issues you may encounter when you travel.
Practical tips when you are travelling:
- Go to the nearest pharmacy (look for green cross sign-see pictures above) but don’t expect them to be open 24/7 like in the US. European pharmacists act like doctors in many regards and will talk with you, ask questions and can diagnose and prescribe medicine for many simple medical issues like sore throats, muscle pain, migraines, etc. My husband got what he needed from a pharmacist in Basel, Switzerland on a recent trip-easy and cheap! The pharmacist interviewed Thom and gave him meds for a persistent cough.
- Call 112 in most European countries for urgent medical assistance (the US 911 equivalent) or call an Uber/taxi yourself and go directly to the nearest hospital if the condition warrants it. House calls might be possible. If you are staying at hotel or an Airbnb, ask the front desk/host to assist you in finding a doctor who can come and see you.
- Handling medical costs-Nearly all European countries have a universal health care system. Each country will have different payment arrangements for health care, and it is not all “free” for travelers as some might assume. However, the costs are minimal compared to medical costs in the US for the uninsured. You may be asked to pay out of pocket for any medical treatment. Check your medical insurance policy before you travel. You may not be covered when you are outside the US. If you are on Medicare, it doesn’t cover healthcare during international travel. However, some Medicare Advantage (like Part C) plans may cover certain emergencies if they occur outside the United States. Check out any travel insurance plans and compare before you buy. Notify the company immediately that you purchased travel insurance from if you have to use it for an injury. They can work directly with the hospital/doctor to get bills paid-here are some sites to research:
Travel Insurance Quotes Online – TravelSafe
Buy Now | iTravelInsured Travel SE – IMG (imglobal.com)
Travel Medical Insurance (betins.com
TRAVEL MEDICAL PACKING LIST
Prescription meds (preferably packed in labeled original containers) If you forget them, ask the pharmacist for them even if you don’t have a prescription on you-they may give them to you or, better yet, take a picture of your prescription and show it to the pharmacist. Certain drugs in Europe are over the counter and don’t need a prescription like they do in the US. Make sure to follow new directions given as some meds may be stronger than the US version. The pharmacist in Paris gave me prescription thyroid meds that I forgot on a trip and didn’t need any documentation to prove I was taking it. Pack extra meds in case you are delayed.
Over The Counter Meds:
Nyquil/Dayquil
Cough suppressant
Saline nasal spray-good for preventing bloody noses
Tylenol or Advil PM (helpful to aid sleeping while adjusting to time zones)
Suntan lotion and sunburn relief (aloe vera gel)
Pain reliever: Tylenol and/or ibuprofen
Benadryl
Imodium
Tagamet
Laxatives or stool softeners
Motion sickness meds
Eye drops
Medical help:
Antibacterial wipes (clean that airplane seat space)
Hand sanitizer (so handy when using public transportation)
Self-adhesive wrap
Tiny scissors to cut gauze, etc.
Instant cold pack
Antibiotic ointment
Antiseptic to clean wounds
Band-Aids (all sizes)
Moleskin (to cover blisters)
Gauze
Medical tape
Calamine lotion
Tweezers (removing splinters, etc.)
Thermometer
Oximeter
Covid tests
Face masks-handy for areas with bad AQI and crowded spaces
Dental:
Travel Fixodent
Dental repair kit
Back issues:
Blow up pillow for hard seat (trains, concerts, etc.)
Back brace
Hair ties to make Denny roll out of towels (for back issues)
Walking stick (collapsible)
Salon PAS
CBD cream
Knee brace
Plug in heating pad (after long day of walking, we fought over who got this first)
Be safe with your travel emergency kit:
- Make a list of all your prescription meds and take a doctor’s note that explains any prescription opioids or medications with needles. You never know when TSA may ask questions.
- If you are travelling with kids, keep the first aid kit out of reach and locked.
With some planning and preparations before you travel, any emergency that comes up that is minor can be handled with your travel emergency kit. For serious illnesses and injuries, seek out medical care immediately. Enjoy a healthy and safe journey!
Key sites to check out before you travel:
Go to the US embassy’s site and select where you are travelling and look under the “US Citizens Services” section for medical services information.
France/Paris https://www.angloinfo.com/how-to/france/paris/healthcare/emergencies/emergencies-in-paris and https://en.parisinfo.com/practical-paris/useful-info/health-in-paris
General https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/health-care-during-travel
Travels with Melinda 