Hey there, fellow travelers! We’re in Paris at Sacre Coeur, and I’m under the weather with a cold and my son is projectile vomiting back at our apartment. It’s not fun to be traveling when you’re sick, but sometimes it happens. Whether you are flying with a cold or dealing with tummy troubles, being sick on vacation is the worst. So, today I’m sharing six things that suck about being sick while you are abroad.
#1 You Feel Like Garbage and Feel Like You’re Wasting Your Vacation
When we are sick, most of us just want to spend the day in bed recuperating, and that’s typically what your body needs. But when you’re on vacation, this seems like a huge waste. You feel like you’re throwing your money away on a vacation you’re not enjoying and your travel companions resent you because you’re slowing them down. Missing out on all the great sights you had planned, or forcing yourself to visit them when you don’t feel well, is one of the worst things about being sick on vacation.
Read: Rainy Day Travel Advice
#2 Buying Medicine in a Foreign Country
When you get sick at home, it’s easy to pop into Walgreens or CVS and pick up some NyQuil or Advil. However, not all medicines translate to other countries. At home, you know exactly what NyQuil or Advil looks like and you can grab it and go. If you’re in a foreign country, the products will be different. The best thing to do is to find out the active ingredient of the product you use at home, rather than the brand name, then ask for that at the pharmacy. So, you may need to ask for acetaminophen or ibuprofen instead of Tylenol or Advil.
#3 Knowing What Requires a Prescription
There are some things back in the States that do not require a prescription, but they may require one in the country you are visiting. And vice versa; there are things that require a prescription in the United States that are available over the counter abroad. Figuring all of this out while you’re sick can really suck.
#4 Finding Medical Attention
Even in the states, it can be hard to figure out what to do if you need medical attention. So it’s even more complicated when traveling abroad. Do you go to the emergency room? Do they have walk-in clinics? Many times, the your consulate’s website will have a list of medical providers that speak your language. If that doesn’t work, you can always ask at your hotel, or even find an expat group on Facebook that you can link into for questions.
Read: Seven Most Common Travel Ailments & Injuries
#5 Language Barrier in Healthcare
Once you are able to find that medical attention, the next frustration is having a language barrier. Many doctors around the world speak English, but not always. Even if you get by pretty well on the local language, chances are you aren’t super well versed in medical terms, so it can be challenging trying to communicate your symptoms to a doctor or nurse. Going back to the previous point, if you can try to find a provider who speaks English. Otherwise, make sure you have a translation app downloaded on your phone!
#6 Paying for Medical Care Abroad
Are you carrying health insurance while traveling? Did you buy the travel insurance that covers illness? If not, that can be a problem as you will have to pay for your care up front. Even with insurance, you will often have to pay for everything up front and get reimbursed afterward. Fortunately, many countries don’t’ charge nearly as much for medical care in the United States, but if you need anything like helicopter evacuation, it’s going to cost a lot without travel insurance.
These are the six things that I think really suck when you’re traveling abroad. Have you been sick while traveling overseas? What sucked about it? Tell us in the comments below! For more travel tips and advice, check out these travel tips and videos:
