Staying Healthy on the Road: 2005
Staying or getting healthy on the road is a key to a happy European trip. Any tips on health and finding good/affordable medical care in Europe?
Tap Water Not a Crisis
I don't think the tap water situation is as bad as said below. It is true, as he said, that bottled water is the rule but you CAN get tap water if you choose. When we were in Majorca in May of 2005, a chef actually told us that the restaurant was not supposed to give out tap water bcuz it contained mineral deposits. He did give us tap water, as we asked. You WILL be understood if you use the local language for your request.
Paul N Sara
Newburyport , MA USA Sat 12/24/2005
I've been living in Germany for almost 4 years now, and I agree, the smoke in some restaurants is horrible. However, and this isn't very "European", but if you eat earlier than the majority of Europeans, the smoke isn't as bad. Early is 5:30-6:30, tho if you want a leisurely dinner, starting at 6:30 you'll run into some smoke.
USA Sun 12/18/2005
RE: Switching tap water for bottled water
I've NEVER had to insist on fizzy water while in Europe. Indeed it has always been the opposite...during my last 5 trips in 5 years, if we ordered water we were always brought fizzy water. In fact most of the waiters will look at you rather strangely if you order water with "No Gas". And don't even attempt to order "tap water". Chances are you won't be understood, and even if they DO understand it you will either be refused or looked down upon as a "cheap" insult.
Tim
USA Sun 12/04/2005
re: smoking everywhere!
I would also like to encourage Rick to include a smoke-free section in all his guidebooks. It would be an enormous help to those of us with allergies and asthma, and others who simply value their health while travelling.
I've travelled widely in the UK, France, Italy, the Middle East and Latin America. The UK has been the most non-smoker friendly place, though not without challenges. Sadly, elsewhere, we are often limited in our sampling of the local cuisine because smoky restaurants and cafes make us physically ill. Street food or picnics are great because you can take them where there is fresh air, and so are museum cafes, which rarely allow smoking. Doing internet research on nonsmoking places before leaving home is also possible.
Lanya
Oakland, CA USA Sun 11/27/2005
Switching tap water for bottled water
One graffitti post mentioned ordering bottled water in Paris only to be brought a bottle that had already been opened and possibly filled with tap water. This is a common trick outside of the US where desperate proprieters and waiters probably both benefit. I've been going to Europe (and Latin America, Africa etc.) for years and one sure way to defeat this water scam is to order seltzer/club soda or mineral water. There is virtually no way for these scammers to duplicate the carbon dioxide or mineral fiz in either mineral water or club soda and these gas waters are often the same price as "still" water (sometimes cheaper). It's almost 100% sure way of thwarting the tap/bottled water switch. Also, the pH of gas waters is lower (more acidic) and parasites have great trouble surviving in it, so even if somehow they had converted tap into fiz water, you're still better off health-wise. Persistent scamming waiters may still try to bring still water even after you ask for gas water, so I always make eye contact, speak unambiguously and often repeat the phrase "con gas" in Italy, "gaz viz" in Hungary, "mineral wasser" in Germany etc. (although Germany has almost no problem with the water switcheroo). The point is ask for gas and you'll avoid the runs! If you're brash and determined to get still water, you'll just have to insist that they bring the bottle to you unopened. I was in Zimbabwe in January and all the bottled water has the seal broken and the water is from the tap (this is even as you buy it from seemingly reputable vendors with ice tubs). Europe is far better, but still beware and acquire a taste for mineral water, it's a great hedge against the water switch scam.
Ron
New York, NY USA Thu 11/17/2005
Free Health Care in Greece
In Greece you can see a physician at no charge. A local pharmacy gave me directions to a clinic and I just waited my turn to see the physician. The only paperwork was that he recorded my name and place of residence. You can also get antibiotics with no prescription.
Renae
Minnesota USA Wed 11/16/2005
Mosquitoes in Venice
Just returned from Venice, Italy (November 2005). Just a note to watch out for mosquitoes.
Sandra Zeoli
Fair Lawn, NJ USA Sun 11/13/2005
Water in Italy
Daisy-there is no problem that I know of with water, bottled or tap, in Italy. So it is a matter of what you would do at home if you were traveling. Personally I prefer to spend the $ to buy a bottle of water when I want it, then drink tap water when I am at the hotel. I do spring for the "aqua minerale con gas" at dinner because we like it. If you want to bring your own water bottle, a regular Nalgene type would be fine - I don't see why it would have to have a filter.
USA Thu 11/10/2005
bottled Italian water
The bottled water was usually about one euro, and we used it for drinking (always used tap water for teeth brushing). So if you drink a LOT, it could get expensive. However, I reused the bottles several times- there are lots of public fountains where you can refill them. We were there for five weeks and I was never ill.
USA Wed 11/09/2005
I'll second this post - re: Smoking Everywhere!
My husband and I too recently had a very nice trip to the UK, Netherlands and Germany that was negatively affected by all the exposure to secondhand cigarette smoke.
We are from California too - and we have just completely lost our tolerance for secondhand smoke. We didn't want to be ugly American tourists, but we didn't want to get sick either.
It was aggravating my husband's asthma and worrying both of us because I am pregnant!
We ended up doing some internet research while on the road and found lists of restaurants that are either non-smoking or at least have a somewhat meaningful non-smoking section. For example, the Asthma Foundation of the Netherlands maintains such a database.
http://www.astmafonds.nl/astmafonds/content.jsp?objectid=3378
We found the one(!) non-smoking restaurant in Nijmegen, Restaurant 't Haasje, and went back there twice because the owner was such a nice person, the food was so great and the atmosphere could not be beat!
Susan Gehr
Northern, CA USA Tue 11/08/2005
Purell
Just got back from a fabulous trip in Paris. One way to prevent colds is to bring Purell or another pocket size hand sanitizer. I am not saying Paris is dirty. Its just that you will spend alot of time touching handrails, metro doors, turnstyles and walls. A million people travel through the metro, that's alot of germs. Purell is just insurance for prevention.
Mike
Tampa, FL USA Thu 10/27/2005
Flu-free vacation, finally!
The past 2 vacations to Europe, I came down with the full-blown flu about 5-7 days after flying. This time, after reading much advice, I took the effervescent Airborne tablets religiously before and during my trip and remained healthy throughout. The only difference in the trips was that this year I travelled in mid-October, whereas the other years it was at the end of November, beginning of December. So, there may have been less of the flu virus floating about for me to catch, but I will take Airborne from now on. Oh, and I took care to use Purell hand-wipes frequently.
P.S. We are just now getting news about ColdFX here in the US, but so far, it is only available in Canada.
Sue
Philadelphia, PA USA Tue 10/25/2005
Flu-free vacation, finally!
The past 2 vacations to Europe, I came down with the full-blown flu about 5-7 days after flying. This time, after reading much advice, I took the effervescent Airborne tablets religiously before and during my trip and remained healthy throughout. The only difference in the trips was that this year I travelled in mid-October, whereas the other years it was at the end of November, beginning of December. So, there may have been less of the flu virus floating about for me to catch, but I will take Airborne from now on. Oh, and I took care to use Purell hand-wipes frequently.
P.S. We are just now getting news about ColdFX here in the US, but so far, it is only available in Canada.
Sue
Philadelphia, PA USA Tue 10/25/2005
Smoke
There seems to be much less smoking in Europe than in the past. Even on trains the problem of second-hand smoke is less. In mild weather, fresher air is to be found at the tables outside.
USA Sat 10/01/2005
Smoking Everywhere!
I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this ... We just returned from a 2 weeks trip to Germany (including 2 days in Prague). We had a wonderful time (using Rick's advice) -- EXCEPT most dinners and many nights were almost ruined by smokers. It was truly shocking to us how many people there smoke incessantly.
Living in California, where smoking isn't allowed in public places, we haven't had to deal with smokers in many years. It was much harder than we expected! (I was gasping for breath.)
In Berlin, many restaurants had non-smoking sections (like we used to have in the 1980s), but in Munich and the Rhine area, no escape was possible.
I'd really like to see Rick (or other travel guides) include tips on smoke-free (or less smoky) locales and how to cope with this problem.
Last year we spent 10 days in Ireland and had no problem there.
What have some of you experienced in other places?
Nancy Whelan
Santa Maria, CA USA Thu 09/29/2005
Stick on pain patches
If you use stick on pain patches for back pain ect. Buy in USA. A small pack that cost 4-6 dollars here is 13 Euro at the pharmacy in Italy. The elastic wrap around back supports are fabulous for long walking too. They really take the edge off but buy that here in the USA also.
Marie
Verona, NJ USA Wed 09/28/2005
Airborne when in the air
I swear by "Airborne". I bring a bottled water onto the plane and a fresh tube of Airborne tablets and even squish a small paper cup in my carry- on. I drink a little water with one of them fizzing away every hour and a half. It works for me! I also like the anti- bacterial wipes that come in little tiny packages (only when traveling, since it's so much waste). The pressure in the plane's cabin makes the gel kind get all over. And the little ones can be scattered all throughout your suitcase and take up no room. Magellan's makes little tp rolls that were excellent- short of that, just roll some up from the hotel before you begin your day.
USA Sun 09/25/2005
Drinking tap water in Europe.
When you check into a B&B or hotel in Europe ask if it is safe to drink water from the tap. In some B&B homes especially the only safe water is from the kitchen tap, as the bathroom water may come from a cistern in the attic - which may or may not be covered from birds, bats, dirt, etc. Perfectly safe to wash, but maybe not to drink. Ask to be sure.
Jean
Owasco, NY USA Tue 09/13/2005
Vitamin C tablets
While in Paris with some friends this summer, one of my friends got a bad cold on the first of two nights we had in the city. She was miserable, and we stopped at a pharmacy and picked up some vitamin C tablets. They seemed to help, and everyone else took them so we wouldn't get sick.
I also took vitamin packets called Emergen C that are great at fighting off colds, and keeping the immune system strong. You simply pour the powdery contents in a glass of water and drink it. In terms of general health, I suggest getting enough sleep, eating healthy by eating some vegetarian meals when out, and relaxing and having fun!
Sara
Chicago, IL USA Wed 09/07/2005
Yogurt
When I am traveling anywhere that I think could cause tummy upsets, I prepare by eating lots of yogurt before I go and after I get there. Someone once told me that yogurt has beneficial bacteria that can help protect against some of the nasty bugs. I don't know whether it really helps or not, but it doesn't hurt and the placebo effect alone is worth it...
USA Sun 09/04/2005
TICKS IN COUNTY KERRY
TICKS! County Kerry Critters!
My four grandchildren and my daughter went hiking with me through the lovely foothills of the mountains near Cahersiveen last week. It was a great hike to the rocky ruins of the birthplace of my great grandmother, Julia O'Connell, BUT later that same night two of the children found TICKS on their legs. This was distressing, particularly to our four-year-old (whose older brothers provided vivid descriptions of the critters' blood-sucking habits.) Our host at the B&B provided the local remedy--a splash of Irish whiskey to the site of the tick's attachment. "Glory be t' St. Patrick!" The ticks contracted and were easy to remove painlessly. The Tick Count was a whopping SEVEN for 6 hikers. Best to do a "skin check" after hiking near sheep pastures in summer. The hike was glorious, worth every minute, 'Tis true!
PATRICIA DAY JAMISON
EDMONDS, WA USA Wed 08/24/2005
Erika-Plane Rides
Have posted this before - however it bears repeating for you Erika! I always (and I mean ALWAYS!) wear a painters mask on planes. I have no immune system and between the mask, hourly doses of 1000 mlgs. of vitamin C, and drinking only water, I have traveled "sick-free" for several years now! Don't worry about how you look - the stewardesses are used to it and they are always very solicitous of me because of it!! Have fun!
Patt
Winter Haven, Florida USA Mon 08/22/2005
Healthy Flying
I use hand cleaner frequently, especially after using the bathroom on planes. I don't get sick after flying.
USA Thu 08/18/2005
Don't want to get sick
The last three times I've been to Europe I have come down with nasty colds (strep throat once!) after the long plane rides from Seattle, does anyone have any suggestions on how to avoid this? I'm going to Italy in September and don't want to spend 1/2 my time there feeling miserable!
Erika
Edmonds, WA USA Sun 08/14/2005
Turkey floors
The Marble floors can be like glass I have never seen any thing as slippery so use CARE --Had great time
John Brangwin
Belloevue, WA USA Thu 08/11/2005
Staying healthy on the Road
Since I adopted Rick's rule of being rested before my trip I havn't been sick since. I'm in Europe twice a year for 3 weeks or so and manage to stay healthy by: 1) Packing for the trip a week ahead and then rechecking my bag 3 days before the trip to weed out excess or buy the "Opps I forgot essential," 2)getting my house in order (paying bills etc.) a week before I go and 3) TOTALLY RELAXING for 2 days before I fly. I leave home rested and relaxed.
When in Europe I do foodwise what I do at home - eat healthy and we all know what that means - low-fat protein, carbs, fiber,etc. I do, in Europe eat a carton of yougurt with live cultures each day so the good guys outnumber the bad guys in the old gut.
Marie
San Diego, CA USA Tue 08/09/2005
Acidophilis
I just wanted to comment on the last post about Acidophilis. I completely agree with that. I have a very sensitive stomach and acidophilis really helped me through my first trip to Europe that was 5 weeks long. Just had to agree on that. :)
Stephanie
Fresno, Ca USA Mon 07/25/2005
Acidophillus
I highly recommend taking one tablet of acidophillus a day with a glass of water, it wards off any digestive disturbance...I tried it on my latest trip to eastern Europe and it aided my digestion. You can purchase it in any drug store or discount chain here in the U.S. And the best part, it is really an inexpensive way to insure one's health while traveling abroad.
Barb
Lancaster, PA USA Tue 07/19/2005
Take This Subject Off Graffitti Wall
This topic should not be included on the Graffiti Wall. This is because there is a lot of total medical misinformation posted here by people who are not doctors. If others were to follow some of these remedies they'd be a lot worse off.
Robert
Detroit, MI USA Fri 07/15/2005
Smoking hotel rooms
Most hotel rooms in Europe are "smoking". We stayed (for 2 hours) at the Hotel Lyon Mulhouse in Paris. The room was so smoky and stinky that we had to leave and find another hotel at midnight. My wife was dry-heaving and our eyes were stinging. The hotel was very unhelpful.
Erik Swartz
Edmonton, AB Canada Sun 07/10/2005
Cold FX
A great way to avoid getting a cold when you travel (or at home) is to take ColdFX. I've used it on several trips and not been sick, while those around me were sneezing and miserable.
Megan
Vancouver, Canada Thu 06/23/2005
Try Airborne
To avoid catching a bug on the plane ride over, I pop an AIRBORNE tablet into a bottled water (it dissolves and just leaves a not-unpleasant orange taste). I have another after I land. It boost my immune system for the ride, and appears to help with the effects of jet lag as well.
erin4a
CA USA Wed 06/22/2005
Sun Stroke, dehydration and hospitals
I just got back from Rick's Provence and Riveria Trip. I was taken by ambulance from our great hotel in Cassis to a local hospital in a nearby village. The doctors and nurses only spoke french and I only spoke english - remember to take your Rick Steved phrase book along if you have an emergency - I was so sick I wasn't thiking straight but I wish I had. Our tour guide stayed with me until 3 am as a translator which I will be eternally grateful.
I had a sun stroke in May/June in France -- so just as a reminder drink plenty of water -- I thought I was and wear sun screen. We could not find Gatorade to replace the electrolytes after I got out of the hospital -- I also has some gasterointestinal problems - I was told to take Smecta a vanilla tasting powder and not take Imodium - we also discovered that PeptoBismo is illegal in France and so couldn't get that either. You can take some powered Gatorade with you if you are going to be in a hot environment. Pharmacists can diagnosis medical problems in France so that is always the first course of action.
Susan Beck
Princeton, NJ USA Mon 06/13/2005
Pneumonia in London
I am a senior citzen who smoked for 50 years. I gave up smoking almost three years ago on a trip to Nice and Chamonix because I was traveling with non smokers. It was easy.
However, On this trip to London - which was a trip to the Chelsea Flower Show and then meeting a friend in the Cotswolds Then back to London to welcome another daughter and grandaughter for just a weekend. I was OKAY, then I just couldn't breathe. I thought maybe I had an allergy to some pretty trees in the Cotswolds. Got back to Paddington Station London on Friday and indulged ouselves in a taxi. Apparently , my daughter had a worse night than I seemed to as she worried that I had taken my last breath. Next morning, my daughter spent some time trying to meet my other daughter and granddaughter (who had spent two hours getting through customs at Heathrow). They finally arrived and my first daughter and I took off for a hospital since I was not doing well.
Wow. I thought Okay - the ER. But they admitted me. What a problem. We had non refundable tickets to return on Monday. Bottom Line.- I was suffering from pneumonia and respiratory failure. I was not even discharged from the hospital until Wednesday - 2 days after our non refundable flights. And then they didn't want me to fly for two weeks - which was unrealistic given my daughters employment commitments and hotel prices.
However, for me - it was the ultimate tourist experience. I met so many wonderful people - patients and staff - one could not pay enough for that cultural exchange. It was not a horrible experience for me - the patient . My daughter's experience was a bit more challenging. How to deal with travel insurance and airlines and commitments in the states is a real problem. This whole situation will double at least the price of the trip. Fortunately, I can afford it. And I have had positive experiences that most people never have had. We need to post other experiences of others who have had dealings with London's health care system. I understand that the ER uin London is free and that included lab work. eeks and chest Xrays. Then when admitted there is a charge to aliens of about $1000 a day which includes everything. This should be covered by travel insurance but we will see. We also needed to buy new airline tickets to return home.
Pat Wells
Morgantown, WV USA Sun 06/12/2005
Bottled Water
Be careful with bottled water. Obviously it can be tainted..but I had a new problem on a recent trip to Mynmar. I carefully drank pleanty of bottled water to keep hydrated due to the heat. In the next few days I had a lot of intestinal remblings and grumblings. However, i did not feel at all sick. I finally asked our ships doctor what my problem was. Turns out the bottle water had a lot of magnisium in it. Magnisium is a natural laxitive. I still drank some water but mixed it with juice and colas (no ice) and an occcasional beer. The problem righted itself in a day.
Sophie Cripe
N ewport Beach, CA USA Fri 06/03/2005
Staying Healthy on the Road
I purchased an "I Can Breathe" honeycomb mask with a carbon filter to wear on the plane trip. It doesn't look very pretty, but I didn't get sick either. Also, I brought saline spray and used it several times during the flight. Hope this helps.
Gail
Houston, TX USA Fri 05/20/2005
Cold Medicine
Missy, I too learned the hard way that, besides it being a drag when you have a bad cold on a trip, Europe does not always have the same cold medicines that we use here. Now I take my bottle of Vicks 44, whether I need it or not. It works fast for me, so I can get on with my trip if I get a cold. It may not be in keeping with the packing light philosophy, but I'd rather take something that I know works instead of trying lots of other things that do nothing for me.
USA Wed 05/11/2005
For Sprains
I take an "elastic ankle support" with me. I used it for a sprained wrist last year (it fit) and want that extra insurance in case of a sprained ankle.
Swan
USA Tue 05/10/2005
Omron portable nebulizer
This portable nebulizer has freed me from an electric plug. It is really the only true portable nebulizer out there. Battery operated on two simple 2 AA batteries easily replaced all over the world. This nebulizer is a traveler must when there is a need for a nebulizer. No longer do we have to worry about plugs, converters, car chargers, or any other cord. This nebulizer works cord free on the beach, in the car, at my desk, on a plane, any where I need to be. I am truly happy with this product. Thank you QuickMedical (www.quickmedical.com ) for your prompt and efficient service with this product.
Kathleen Bornick
Seattle, WA USA Thu 01/20/2005
Bring Cold Medicine to Europe from the US!
I just returned from a two week trip to Europe (England and Germany) and unfortunately, I had a cold the entire time. I was sick before i left, so I brought some cold medicine from the states, but it ran out by the third day. I tried several different cold remedies in both countries, and nothing seemed to make a dent in my symptoms. Cold medicine in Europe is not as strong as in the US. I strongly recommend that even if you think you might get sick during your trip to Europe, you should pack along enough cold medicine to last you your whole trip!
Missy Carling
Middletown, CT USA Wed 01/19/2005
Airborne (take it!!)
On my trip over the Christmas break I got sick after going from cold to hot as I dressed for the cold of England but inside I would be hot. It almost made my trip a bummer.. another traveler I met said she started getting a cold and she took the new "Airborne" and it knocked the cold out within a day or two. I had thought about getting some before I left... once I was over there I wish I had. The medicine I got over the counter in UK barely seemed to do much good. Go prepared with what you would take here and take plenty of it (I had run out). I found it took longer to feel better cuz you don't want to stop on your trip so you just go a little slower which doesn't let your body get the rest it needs so it takes longer than usual to feel better.
Kelly
tx USA Tue 01/11/2005