Finding Medical Help Overseas

 

 

Worried about finding a reputable doctor if you get sick on the road? Try these steps to help you find the best help available.

  • Ring your travel insurance company’s hotline (yes you need insurance).  A decent company will have an easily accessible 24 hour hotline on which somebody will be able to point you to decent local help. It’s always worth testing how easy this hotline is to use before you leave Australia (the best will have a doctor on call for you to speak to).
  • Go to the nearest upmarket hotel. The hotel might have an in house doctor, or they will at least be able to point you in the right direction.  You might have to pay on the spot for the hotel doctor (not a big deal if you are really crook).
  • Ring the nearest Aussie/British or Canadian embassy.  They should be able to point you to a decent doctor

No medical help available? Then it’s important to look after yourself properly till you can find help. Above all try to be calm and listen to your body. You have a powerful immune system and you need to give it a chance to help you recover. Keep these things in mind whenever you get sick:

  • Rest. As much rest as possible is good for the immune system.  If you don’t have to get on a bus or plane then stay put for an extra day, and make sure your mates look after you rather than bitching about any lost travel time.  It’s possible they will eat the wrong thing or become crook at some point as well.  This is also a good way to test the strength of any friendship.
  • Fever? There are many causes. Hopefully you have been taking your anti-malaria pills if you are anywhere near an endemic area. If the fever persists or is accompanied by more serious symptoms such as coughing up blood (tuberculosis), get to the Doctor a.s.a.p.
  • Don’t smoke or drink.  Never good for a recovering body.
  • Read the instructions of any tablets you might be taking and make sure you understand exactly how to take them – with water? 30mins before food? Do as the instructions tell you.
  • Keep notes.  Write down your symptoms and keep note of anything you are taking.  This will help when you get to see a doctor.

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