No one likes getting sick.
Even the slightest head cold can make some people feel miserable and
cause the people around them to run and hide so that they do not become the
outlet for that misery. And going to the
doctors is even worse. Now on top of
being sick, you get to sit in a waiting room for two hours surrounded by sick
people only to get poked and prodded and sent home with a prescription for some
medication that may or may not actually cure what ails you. Personally, I’d rather just stay home in bed
and wait it out than go to the doctor.
Yet imagine for a minute that crawling into your own bed and
having your mom bring you chicken noodle soup was not an option. Going to your family doctor is also not an
option because you are not only just sick, you are sick while travelling abroad
and are therefore half a world away from your doctor, mom and bed.
Seeking healthcare while travelling abroad can be a
haphazard experience if you are not prepared.
Depending on where you are in the world, the standard of healthcare
might differ, there may be language barriers between you and your doctor, there
might be questions of whether your health insurance will cover medical expenses
incurred abroad and if they don’t, how will you pay for your trip to the clinic
and any medication needed. Of course,
the key phrase here is, “if you are not prepared”. There are many things that the intrepid
explorer can do to ensure that if their health does take a turn for the worse,
they know where to go, who to turn to and how they are going to cover the
costs.
First, know where the local hospitals and clinics are
located. Your consulate would be a good
resource to ask in this case. They
should be one of your primary resources if you do get sick as they know the
area and they know which medical centres have a good reputation and track
record for dealing with travellers. They
may even be able to point you to one that have staff on hand that will speak your
language and ease the communication barrier as you try to explain your flu like
symptoms sans vivid and potentially disturbing hand gestures.
Another good first step is to gather your health information
prior to leaving. You should have on
hand:
- Your family doctor’s office contact information
- Insurance company contact information
- Travel insurance company contact information if applicable
- Embassy contact information
- Medical emergency bracelets in case of serious allergies or medical conditions
Know the generic names of all medication that you regularly
take. You might not be able to find
brand names that you recognize when travelling and it helps it you know that
Advil is ibuprofen and that Benadryl is diphenhydramine. If you know there are certain medications
that you will certainly need during your travels, be sure to pack an ample
supply before you depart.
I know it sounds scary.
But there are many places in the world that offer outstanding medical
care. Just because you are travelling
abroad does not mean that if you get sick, you give up. Just like any trip, a little planning and
forethought will save you a lot of anxiety if something does happen.
