Solo Travellers - Tips for handling illness
September 14, 2014 9:47 PM Subscribe
Solo Travellers - what practical tips do you have for handling the unpleasantness of getting sick while on holiday?
I am going to do a lot more solo travel soon. Nothing too adventuresome - mostly in Western countries with high health standards. However I am still bothered by the prospect of getting sick while travelling. What practical tips have helped you cope when you've come down with something while away from home?
I am going to do a lot more solo travel soon. Nothing too adventuresome - mostly in Western countries with high health standards. However I am still bothered by the prospect of getting sick while travelling. What practical tips have helped you cope when you've come down with something while away from home?
Bring small quantities of meds for very likely things, and make sure you know how you'll access the internet if you need to say, translate drug names. It is also useful to know what sort of insurance coverage you have for say, emergency evacuation, just in case something really awful happens and you need to be airlifted home or something crazy.
My travel is mainly to go scuba diving, and I have dive specific insurance which covers (and coordinates) all relevant care for incidents.
But my real plan is don't get sick. I think I have some Dayquil in my general travel kit. I keep bonine with my dive gear to prevent seasickness. I once might have appreciated some anti-diarrheals in Mexico. I managed to get appropriate cold medicine in France with only barely passable French.
posted by ktkt at 10:10 PM on September 14, 2014
My travel is mainly to go scuba diving, and I have dive specific insurance which covers (and coordinates) all relevant care for incidents.
But my real plan is don't get sick. I think I have some Dayquil in my general travel kit. I keep bonine with my dive gear to prevent seasickness. I once might have appreciated some anti-diarrheals in Mexico. I managed to get appropriate cold medicine in France with only barely passable French.
posted by ktkt at 10:10 PM on September 14, 2014
You may be surprised by what's available over the counter versus what's not in the countries you visit, compared to what you're used to at home. Pseudoephedrine, codeine, and other ingredients can very widely in regulation and ease of accessibility. So if you know there's certain stuff that really works for you for bugs you are likely to catch, bring it with you. For example, when I get sick on travel, it's usually a nasty cold with chest congestion. I know the US products Claritin-D and Mucinex D are critical to me feeling better. I also know from experience it is sometimes challenging to get those elsewhere, or to easily find the equivalents, particularly in a country where English is not the official language or where questionable "alternatives" are widely available. So those are things worth bringing with me.
If you don't know whether something is easily available, google for ex-pats asking about products in forums. Very helpful.
Depending on where you go, an anti-diarrheal may be worth bringing, not because it's hard to find, but because you'd rather just pop one and feel better than be running around to stores.
Basic things like cough drops, antacids, and other mild symptom treaters should be easy to find and less urgent.
Of course, know what your healthcare plan will and won't do for you in foreign countries, and purchase travel medical cover if needed. I've never had trouble bringing medications with things like pseudoephedrine over borders, even to fairly strict but still relatively westernised countries, but it's worth checking those restrictions yourself for your whole itinerary.
Once you are good and sick on a trip, though, it is pretty miserable. The worst travel illness I had, I basically made myself look really pitiful to the hotel staff and they sent up soup and extra tissues and sent someone out to buy meds for me. I do advise that, if it comes to it. It made a sucky situation suck slightly less.
posted by olinerd at 10:13 PM on September 14, 2014 [1 favorite]
If you don't know whether something is easily available, google for ex-pats asking about products in forums. Very helpful.
Depending on where you go, an anti-diarrheal may be worth bringing, not because it's hard to find, but because you'd rather just pop one and feel better than be running around to stores.
Basic things like cough drops, antacids, and other mild symptom treaters should be easy to find and less urgent.
Of course, know what your healthcare plan will and won't do for you in foreign countries, and purchase travel medical cover if needed. I've never had trouble bringing medications with things like pseudoephedrine over borders, even to fairly strict but still relatively westernised countries, but it's worth checking those restrictions yourself for your whole itinerary.
Once you are good and sick on a trip, though, it is pretty miserable. The worst travel illness I had, I basically made myself look really pitiful to the hotel staff and they sent up soup and extra tissues and sent someone out to buy meds for me. I do advise that, if it comes to it. It made a sucky situation suck slightly less.
posted by olinerd at 10:13 PM on September 14, 2014 [1 favorite]
Thera-flu. It's the tactical nuke of cold and flu remedies and comes in an easily packed thin pouch (just add hot water) It will knock you out, and the next day there will be the 'right amount of grogginess' ...don't really know how to explain it...it's like having a sickness babysitter reminding you to take it easy, while at the same time allowing you to function as well as you are able without making yourself sicker.
posted by sexyrobot at 10:15 PM on September 14, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by sexyrobot at 10:15 PM on September 14, 2014 [1 favorite]
Have paracetamol and/or ibroprofen on hand, and also something that can be used to treat dehydration. Dissolvable tabs or powder that can be added to water are handy because they take up less space in luggage. Cold and flu tablets could be good if you're travelling in flu season.
Make sure you have travel insurance.
I think that as long as you have painkillers and something to help stave off dehydration, you'll be able to get any further supplies or treatment you might need.
posted by kinddieserzeit at 10:17 PM on September 14, 2014
Make sure you have travel insurance.
I think that as long as you have painkillers and something to help stave off dehydration, you'll be able to get any further supplies or treatment you might need.
posted by kinddieserzeit at 10:17 PM on September 14, 2014
Pack a decent small first aid kit with tums, your preferred pain killer, neosporin, immodium, allergy pills etc. Dramamine. Extra kleenex packs. Extra bandaids (I prefer fabric in a variety of sizes, especially finger/ankle/knee.) I always go for high level SPF and sometimes aloe vera, but I burn super easily. Minimus.biz has a great selection of travel sizes of pills if you just want two or four of them-- this is all still a fairly small kit.
If you'd rather pack very lightly, most guide books have a guide for common drugs and pharmacy terms. (Or make a list of the things you use most often and look up a personalized translation list ahead of time.) Make a note of where the closest pharmacy is to your hotel. If you do get sick, sort out what happens if you stay sick: future travel plans and kind of travel planned for the next couple of days, if you need extra water, if the hotel can help with takeaway or other food help. Though having a bit of extra water and a spare pack of crackers and snacks is never a bad idea anyway.
To be honest I've only gotten really sick once but since it was midnight, in Turkey, six hours before my airport bus, I was quite glad to be over-prepared. I and my partner have used maybe half of the other stuff once or twice, but I think the price of replacing it every couple of years has been worth not having to track it down when in pain or feeling off.
posted by jetlagaddict at 10:24 PM on September 14, 2014 [1 favorite]
If you'd rather pack very lightly, most guide books have a guide for common drugs and pharmacy terms. (Or make a list of the things you use most often and look up a personalized translation list ahead of time.) Make a note of where the closest pharmacy is to your hotel. If you do get sick, sort out what happens if you stay sick: future travel plans and kind of travel planned for the next couple of days, if you need extra water, if the hotel can help with takeaway or other food help. Though having a bit of extra water and a spare pack of crackers and snacks is never a bad idea anyway.
To be honest I've only gotten really sick once but since it was midnight, in Turkey, six hours before my airport bus, I was quite glad to be over-prepared. I and my partner have used maybe half of the other stuff once or twice, but I think the price of replacing it every couple of years has been worth not having to track it down when in pain or feeling off.
posted by jetlagaddict at 10:24 PM on September 14, 2014 [1 favorite]
Stay extra aware of your surroundings. Bad People (scammers, criminals, creeps) are great at picking up on vulnerability. I've had food poisoning and a fever while traveling alone and both times there was a huge increase in harassment, pick pocketing attempts, and weird people trying to talk to me (as compared to walking around alone in public while visibly healthy and totally alert.) If you need to pick up food or meds try to find a buddy, ask hotel staff, or take precautions that you might not if you were healthier (not walking alone after dark, for example.)
posted by horizons at 10:38 PM on September 14, 2014 [8 favorites]
posted by horizons at 10:38 PM on September 14, 2014 [8 favorites]
Honestly? Accept the possibility of illness and embrace it as part of the experience of being somewhere else. People in the countries you are visiting get sick and recover all the time. Being sick somewhere new is not a qualitatively worse experience than being sick at home - it's just different. Sometimes it's easier because less is expected of you when you're travelling. Obviously, if you need medical care, you should make sure you get it. But if your illness is minor, ask around and learn how what the locals do to feel better when they're unwell. Is there a soothing drink that local grandmas swear cures all ills? Is there a traditional meal that everyone claims will warm you up from the inside? Every country has comfort food of some kind; enjoying it at a time when you really do need comfort is a unique experience and not necessarily a negative one.
I don't like being sick any more than anyone else, but among my best travel memories is lazing around in bed in Chennai, India, recovering from a fever, reading a book of local ghost stories and eating freshly made soan papdi from the sweet shop down the road. (This was after I got checked out by a doctor to make sure it wasn't malaria/dengue/anything serious). Would I have preferred not to be unwell? Sure. But since it was unavoidable, I found ways to make it a less terrible experience. Comfort food helped. And I was well looked after - anyone who heard that I was sick instantly wanted to help. After many days of hectic travel, a few days in bed being looked after by kindly self-appointed "aunties" felt almost indulgent. Certainly it was much less dreary than trudging off to work with a head cold back home.
posted by embrangled at 11:39 PM on September 14, 2014 [3 favorites]
I don't like being sick any more than anyone else, but among my best travel memories is lazing around in bed in Chennai, India, recovering from a fever, reading a book of local ghost stories and eating freshly made soan papdi from the sweet shop down the road. (This was after I got checked out by a doctor to make sure it wasn't malaria/dengue/anything serious). Would I have preferred not to be unwell? Sure. But since it was unavoidable, I found ways to make it a less terrible experience. Comfort food helped. And I was well looked after - anyone who heard that I was sick instantly wanted to help. After many days of hectic travel, a few days in bed being looked after by kindly self-appointed "aunties" felt almost indulgent. Certainly it was much less dreary than trudging off to work with a head cold back home.
posted by embrangled at 11:39 PM on September 14, 2014 [3 favorites]
If there is something you feel you need to take with you, then it's worth googling the ingredients to check on any relevant laws in the countries you are going to. For instance, Japan bans pseudoephedrine, along with some other drugs even when carrying a prescription for them.
posted by the agents of KAOS at 11:52 PM on September 14, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by the agents of KAOS at 11:52 PM on September 14, 2014 [1 favorite]
I can personally attest to the efficacy of all the following:
First, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure: practice good hygiene, carry a water bottle with you, and try to get enough sleep.
Second, pack your favorite medications along with you. Make sure you save the original packaging, or at least the labels, to avoid tough questions at the border.
Third, if you can afford it, reserve some "emergency funds" to check yourself into a really nice hotel. Seriously: room service at the Churchill saved my life in London.
Kristin Newman also employs the latter tactic to good effect in her travel memoir.
posted by ista at 1:42 AM on September 15, 2014 [1 favorite]
First, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure: practice good hygiene, carry a water bottle with you, and try to get enough sleep.
Second, pack your favorite medications along with you. Make sure you save the original packaging, or at least the labels, to avoid tough questions at the border.
Third, if you can afford it, reserve some "emergency funds" to check yourself into a really nice hotel. Seriously: room service at the Churchill saved my life in London.
Kristin Newman also employs the latter tactic to good effect in her travel memoir.
posted by ista at 1:42 AM on September 15, 2014 [1 favorite]
I figure out which hospital and doctor clinic I could go to ahead of travelling to a place, because it's horrible to be sick and trying to decide which clinic to go to. If you have travel insurance, they often have a list of the clinics they recommend for each city.
I'd also pack lots of extra underwear. Usually for a trip where you're healthy, you can wash your smalls in the sink and not bother with additional laundry past a laundromat or the hotel laundry every now and then, but when you're sick, it's dispiriting to be trying to do laundry or paying $30 for a fresh pair of underpants.
If you're staying at fairly nice hotels, the staff will be very helpful if you're polite and can get you meds and extra attention. If you're planning to stay at backpacker type places, put aside some money so that if you're sick, you can go to a nicer hotel for the duration.
posted by viggorlijah at 2:24 AM on September 15, 2014 [1 favorite]
I'd also pack lots of extra underwear. Usually for a trip where you're healthy, you can wash your smalls in the sink and not bother with additional laundry past a laundromat or the hotel laundry every now and then, but when you're sick, it's dispiriting to be trying to do laundry or paying $30 for a fresh pair of underpants.
If you're staying at fairly nice hotels, the staff will be very helpful if you're polite and can get you meds and extra attention. If you're planning to stay at backpacker type places, put aside some money so that if you're sick, you can go to a nicer hotel for the duration.
posted by viggorlijah at 2:24 AM on September 15, 2014 [1 favorite]
Figure out which places your insurance will cover. Other than that, don't sweat it. Make sure you do build in extra days for sickness just in case you need it and won't have to travel while sick. Mostly use common sense too. If you feel somewhere is a bit icky, trust your gut and don't eat/stay there. Don't do stupid things (or illegal stuff) like get entirely too drunk. The worst thing that happens is you cut your travels short to go home to heal.
I came down with dengue fever in Vietnam and am ok! Went to the nearest private Western hospital ER for IV drip and blood tests. Cut my vacation short and booked the next flight back to Hong Kong to enjoy much higher standard of hospital stay there (which also turned out to be free!).
posted by astapasta24 at 2:52 AM on September 15, 2014
I came down with dengue fever in Vietnam and am ok! Went to the nearest private Western hospital ER for IV drip and blood tests. Cut my vacation short and booked the next flight back to Hong Kong to enjoy much higher standard of hospital stay there (which also turned out to be free!).
posted by astapasta24 at 2:52 AM on September 15, 2014
Assuming you are fairly healthy, exactly how ill are you likely to get abroad? (and if you aren't healthy, you should be talking to your doctor about this not us as there may be specific advice for your pre-existing conditions)
Realistically if you are ill it is likely to be either a cold (carry on as normal, maybe spend a day mooching around the hotel with some paracetamol if you're really ill) or D&V (spend a day or two in the hotel riding it out). Sunburn, put some aftersun on and cover up for the next few days. If you're in Europe you aren't likely to be getting anything more serious than that. You can get plasters, paracetamol, immodium etc over the counter everywhere (some pharmacies may have weird opening hours, but that is the biggest obstacle really).
You don't need to see a doctor about a snuffly nose just because you're in Europe and have panicked (not saying you would do that, but I have certainly met these tourists professionally), and doctors do not have a magic cure for the common cold that they save especially for emergencies like people having excursions booked for the following day (again, I've met these people). It will cost you $250 to be basically told to go to the chemists, and I can think of better ways to spend that money. Be sensible, think what you would do if you were at home, and do that.
I have had a couple of things that did need medical attention while in Europe (various skiing injuries, badly cut foot, that sort of thing) and I either walked to the local polyclinic (very well-signposted in ski resorts for obvious reasons) or asked the hotel to sort out a english-speaking doctor (this was just a normal 3 star hotel in Italy, any hotel should be able to do this for you). It was all very straightforward, and the care was great.
The European common emergency number is 112, should you need an ambulance, police, fire brigade or coastguard. It works alongside individual country emergency numbers such as 999, so you don't have to try to remember where you are and what to dial.
Finally, if you have any tooth problems get them fixed before you go, because emergency dentistry is no fun anywhere.
posted by tinkletown at 3:13 AM on September 15, 2014 [1 favorite]
Realistically if you are ill it is likely to be either a cold (carry on as normal, maybe spend a day mooching around the hotel with some paracetamol if you're really ill) or D&V (spend a day or two in the hotel riding it out). Sunburn, put some aftersun on and cover up for the next few days. If you're in Europe you aren't likely to be getting anything more serious than that. You can get plasters, paracetamol, immodium etc over the counter everywhere (some pharmacies may have weird opening hours, but that is the biggest obstacle really).
You don't need to see a doctor about a snuffly nose just because you're in Europe and have panicked (not saying you would do that, but I have certainly met these tourists professionally), and doctors do not have a magic cure for the common cold that they save especially for emergencies like people having excursions booked for the following day (again, I've met these people). It will cost you $250 to be basically told to go to the chemists, and I can think of better ways to spend that money. Be sensible, think what you would do if you were at home, and do that.
I have had a couple of things that did need medical attention while in Europe (various skiing injuries, badly cut foot, that sort of thing) and I either walked to the local polyclinic (very well-signposted in ski resorts for obvious reasons) or asked the hotel to sort out a english-speaking doctor (this was just a normal 3 star hotel in Italy, any hotel should be able to do this for you). It was all very straightforward, and the care was great.
The European common emergency number is 112, should you need an ambulance, police, fire brigade or coastguard. It works alongside individual country emergency numbers such as 999, so you don't have to try to remember where you are and what to dial.
Finally, if you have any tooth problems get them fixed before you go, because emergency dentistry is no fun anywhere.
posted by tinkletown at 3:13 AM on September 15, 2014 [1 favorite]
If you are unlucky enough to fall ill while travelling alone in a hotel - then reach out to somebody on reception. They can help put you in touch with doctors, pharmacists, airlines and anybody else you might need. They are also often willing to check up on you.
Give anybody involved a generous tip once you feel better!
posted by rongorongo at 4:33 AM on September 15, 2014
Give anybody involved a generous tip once you feel better!
posted by rongorongo at 4:33 AM on September 15, 2014
I always carry Pepto Bismol (the tablets), Advil, and pseudoephedrine with me while traveling, along with a basic first aid kit. Petit Beurre biscuits are good for settling the stomach: buy some or something similar.
In general, I would not worry too much.
posted by deanc at 6:26 AM on September 15, 2014 [1 favorite]
In general, I would not worry too much.
posted by deanc at 6:26 AM on September 15, 2014 [1 favorite]
Learn/write down the generic names of some common drugs. I ended up having nasty seasonal allergies in Switzerland last year, and it was a big help to be able to ask the pharmacy for "loratadine," which I just refer to as "generic Claritin" at home. (My beloved fexofenadine/generic Allegra was unavailable.)
And yes, hotel and hostel staff are generally delighted to give you recommendations for nearby doctors and pharmacies. Probably coffee-shop and restaurant staff as well, if you're staying in an AirBnB or something with no staff.
But mostly being sick while traveling is just like being sick at home, but more frustrating because you SHOULD BE HAVING FUN.
posted by mskyle at 6:29 AM on September 15, 2014 [1 favorite]
And yes, hotel and hostel staff are generally delighted to give you recommendations for nearby doctors and pharmacies. Probably coffee-shop and restaurant staff as well, if you're staying in an AirBnB or something with no staff.
But mostly being sick while traveling is just like being sick at home, but more frustrating because you SHOULD BE HAVING FUN.
posted by mskyle at 6:29 AM on September 15, 2014 [1 favorite]
I used to worry about that. And then I had an issue right after arriving in a new country where I knew no one and barely spoke any of the language. And it wasn't a big deal. The people who ran the hotel checked in on my and made sure I was doing ok, people facilitated getting access to the very basic medical care I needed, and it was fine. People are largely good and will lend a hand if needed, just as you would in their shoes. Bring some pain pills and basic stuff, but there are pharmacies everywhere and clinics and nurses and doctors. It will get figured out and chances are you'll have some good stories from it later.
posted by Dip Flash at 7:04 AM on September 15, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Dip Flash at 7:04 AM on September 15, 2014 [1 favorite]
One angle you may not have considered: I threw out my back from sitting for hours on planes and lugging bags around while traveling in Europe. I didn't realize my back was injured until I woke in the middle of the night and tried to get up. I was in an excruciating amount of pain, and could barely make it to the toilet. I knew I was in trouble. I was in Barcelona, and fortunately I knew, "Estoy enferma. Necessita ayuda, un doctor, por favor", so I could let the hotel staff know.
A very elegant tiny man in a three piece suit arrived at my door with his black bag and stethascope around his neck. I answered the door completely naked, howling and clutching my back, then returning to the bed. He understood immediately, pulled out a syringe, and gave me two shots in the back. He then wrote out a three prescriptions, two types of pills, a steroid an a pain killer, and an aerosol to apply topically.
When I could walk, I stepped out to a pharmacy. They filled my prescription, and handed the scrip back to me. I was surprised the pharmacist did this, so just to see, I stepped into another pharmacy and asked if they would fill it, they said sure. Hmm.
You know what the doctor room visit, shots and scrip cost me? $90 dollars.
You know what the three scrips cost me? $25.
I learned a lot about the American health system by throwing out my back in Barcelona.
So, watch your back.
posted by effluvia at 7:11 AM on September 15, 2014 [1 favorite]
A very elegant tiny man in a three piece suit arrived at my door with his black bag and stethascope around his neck. I answered the door completely naked, howling and clutching my back, then returning to the bed. He understood immediately, pulled out a syringe, and gave me two shots in the back. He then wrote out a three prescriptions, two types of pills, a steroid an a pain killer, and an aerosol to apply topically.
When I could walk, I stepped out to a pharmacy. They filled my prescription, and handed the scrip back to me. I was surprised the pharmacist did this, so just to see, I stepped into another pharmacy and asked if they would fill it, they said sure. Hmm.
You know what the doctor room visit, shots and scrip cost me? $90 dollars.
You know what the three scrips cost me? $25.
I learned a lot about the American health system by throwing out my back in Barcelona.
So, watch your back.
posted by effluvia at 7:11 AM on September 15, 2014 [1 favorite]
Don't use or rely on hand sanitizer. it is *barely* "better than nothing," and provides no protection at all against GI bugs.
posted by magdalemon at 7:43 AM on September 15, 2014
posted by magdalemon at 7:43 AM on September 15, 2014
I got a nasty and lingering cold while in Europe for a month this summer (solo for part of it), and it wasn't the end of the world. I went through all the cold medicine I'd brought (~8 pills) as well as all the benedryl I'd brought (~12 pills). The benedryl I used as a sleeping aid as well as to combat a bad bed bug reaction. I walked into a random pharmacy in Budapest and had no trouble getting strepsils, speaking only english. I would have preferred not to have a cold obviously, and was way more sleep-deprived than usual since head colds majorly interfere with sleeping for me, but I still had a great time travelling, and only spent one day holed up in my hostel.
Bringing a painkiller, cold medicine, an antihistamine that makes you sleepy, and maybe an anti-diarrhea medication will cover your bases for travel in most western countries. For anything more serious, it's easy to find treatment. It's an inconvenience, but most minor illnesses are very unlikely to ruin your trip.
posted by randomnity at 9:48 AM on September 15, 2014
Bringing a painkiller, cold medicine, an antihistamine that makes you sleepy, and maybe an anti-diarrhea medication will cover your bases for travel in most western countries. For anything more serious, it's easy to find treatment. It's an inconvenience, but most minor illnesses are very unlikely to ruin your trip.
posted by randomnity at 9:48 AM on September 15, 2014
I travel with a medicine bottle with ibuprofen, Benadryl, decongestant, Pepcid, and sometimes a course of antibiotics
I used to travel with a small unmarked medicine bottle full of aspirin, ibuprofen, Tylenol and a cold pill. Then I heard TSA takes a dim view of medicine not in its original container, that it's grounds for a secondary screening. I've never been challenged but now I collect those little two-tablet envelopes of aspirin, ibuprofen and Tylenol just for my travel kit.
Tagging onto effluvia's experience, I broke my leg in Germany and got out of the emergency room with x-rays, cast, crutches and some disposable hypodermics to inhibit economy class syndrome thrombosis, all for €230, with no insurance. I can only guess how much more that would've been stateside, even with my insurance.
posted by Rash at 11:46 AM on September 15, 2014 [1 favorite]
I used to travel with a small unmarked medicine bottle full of aspirin, ibuprofen, Tylenol and a cold pill. Then I heard TSA takes a dim view of medicine not in its original container, that it's grounds for a secondary screening. I've never been challenged but now I collect those little two-tablet envelopes of aspirin, ibuprofen and Tylenol just for my travel kit.
Tagging onto effluvia's experience, I broke my leg in Germany and got out of the emergency room with x-rays, cast, crutches and some disposable hypodermics to inhibit economy class syndrome thrombosis, all for €230, with no insurance. I can only guess how much more that would've been stateside, even with my insurance.
posted by Rash at 11:46 AM on September 15, 2014 [1 favorite]
I forgot to add that if you're allergic to common pets and if you're doing AirBnB pack extra allergy pills because if, say, your AirBnB host in Paris forgets to mention that your blankets appear to have been woven by cat hair and it's 19 (C) degrees outside, you will ration out the Sudafed to yourself with a painful, disturbing obsession day by day. Just in case.
posted by jetlagaddict at 12:30 PM on September 15, 2014
posted by jetlagaddict at 12:30 PM on September 15, 2014
If you get sick or injured, remind yourself that it's okay to take a day or two off (or at least take them lightly); spending a few extra bucks for more convenient food, comfortable hotel, etc. will make recuperation easier and get you back in touristing form sooner.
posted by Homeboy Trouble at 1:50 PM on September 15, 2014
posted by Homeboy Trouble at 1:50 PM on September 15, 2014
If it's worth it to you, the Cholera vaccination may have a protective effect against travelers diarrhea, but only by about 1/3 to 1/4 less.
Otherwise, it depends, but it can be easier than being home alone, because you can ask your hostel/hotel to deliver food, pharmacies are available, you can just lie up. Everywhere else has cheaper healthcare than the US.
I cracked a rib in Thailand, got bandages (for scrapes) and ibuprofen from the pharmacy, then proceeded to just rest up for couple weeks.
Cambodia had normal pharmacy stuff too.
Anything else, make a plan. When backpacking, decide you'll shell out for a room with private bathroom, and ask hostel owners to deliver food. They'd probably pick up oral rehydration solution, (a bucket?!), other pharmacy stuff if you made a list and paid for someone to pick it up, most people don't think of that.
Ask for help, most people are very kind to strangers, no matter your situation, especially if you don't take anything for granted. Be polite, and try and compensate people for the hassle.
I have three friends who got sick in Nepal, and were sharing one bathroom with no running water at night, but don't think any of them thought to just get another room/bathroom, they were pretty stuck on cheaping it out.
I'm pretty sure they could have done something further, rather than just getting a grotty story out of it.
I'm in NZ, and know several backpackers who got a night in hospital rather than being sent back to a hostel when sick.
In summary:
Room service, wifi, and lying in sunshine, getting a massage etc once you feel mostly better, and avoid physically carrying a bunch of stuff when you are weakened.
Have fun!
posted by Elysum at 8:43 PM on September 15, 2014
Otherwise, it depends, but it can be easier than being home alone, because you can ask your hostel/hotel to deliver food, pharmacies are available, you can just lie up. Everywhere else has cheaper healthcare than the US.
I cracked a rib in Thailand, got bandages (for scrapes) and ibuprofen from the pharmacy, then proceeded to just rest up for couple weeks.
Cambodia had normal pharmacy stuff too.
Anything else, make a plan. When backpacking, decide you'll shell out for a room with private bathroom, and ask hostel owners to deliver food. They'd probably pick up oral rehydration solution, (a bucket?!), other pharmacy stuff if you made a list and paid for someone to pick it up, most people don't think of that.
Ask for help, most people are very kind to strangers, no matter your situation, especially if you don't take anything for granted. Be polite, and try and compensate people for the hassle.
I have three friends who got sick in Nepal, and were sharing one bathroom with no running water at night, but don't think any of them thought to just get another room/bathroom, they were pretty stuck on cheaping it out.
I'm pretty sure they could have done something further, rather than just getting a grotty story out of it.
I'm in NZ, and know several backpackers who got a night in hospital rather than being sent back to a hostel when sick.
In summary:
Room service, wifi, and lying in sunshine, getting a massage etc once you feel mostly better, and avoid physically carrying a bunch of stuff when you are weakened.
Have fun!
posted by Elysum at 8:43 PM on September 15, 2014
Oh also, if you want to just bring a few pills of something but you want to keep it in original packaging, get it in blister packets. A flat blister pack takes up less space than a pill bottle with 10 pills in it, and still usually has the original info printed right on the foil.
posted by mskyle at 6:44 AM on September 17, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by mskyle at 6:44 AM on September 17, 2014 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by vapidave at 10:05 PM on September 14, 2014 [6 favorites]