What to do when a loved one gets sick on holiday

In the excitement of the summer holidays the last thing on many people’s minds is whether their holiday will be ruined by illness. When you are on holiday, you only have a certain amount of days to enjoy yourself, compounding the sadness over a loved one becomes ill. In that event, it may fall to you to take care of them or get them treatment, so be sure to research what to do in the event of illness.

Call Your Health Insurance Company

The best place to start if a loved one is suffering a holiday illness is to call your health insurance provider for advice as to whether your loved one is covered in the event of illness on holiday, and what procedures should take place to make sure you can claim on your insurance. Often an insurance provider will ask you to visit a nurse or doctor to obtain medical proof of illness, in case you choose to claim insurance in the near future.

Ask the hotel for help

It can be difficult to know what to do and where to go when a loved one is ill in an unfamiliar country or area. If you are staying at a hotel or guest house then ask the staff or manager if they have a list of local doctors and hospitals which you could visit. They can also direct you to the local Accident and Emergency if it is urgent, as well as arranging transportation if you don’t have a car.

If you’re staying in self-catering apartments, consider calling the owner of the apartment or finding the closest tourist information centre, who will also be able to provide you with help and assistance.

Mobile GP Services

Mobile GP Services can be particularly useful if your loved one is too ill to leave your hotel or apartment; you won’t have to sit in a waiting room or find transportation to a hospital or health centre, additionally you will receive the usual amount of personalised health care service.

It is likely that you will have to pay upfront for many in-home GP services and your insurance company may not reimburse you for all these expenses, so it is worth checking with your insurance provider first if you are particularly concerned about costs.

Ask at the Pharmacy

If your loved one is not ill enough to require immediate medical attention then it is worth visiting a pharmacy for help and advice. A pharmacist can suggest which over-the-counter medications can be particularly helpful as well as any symptoms you should be concerned about. They will have knowledge of common illnesses in the area and particular bugs that have been going about.

Bring the Basics

One of the best ways to help a loved one when they are ill on holiday is to bring the basics with you when you are packing. Consider packing medication for headaches, coughs, colds, flu and upset stomach. This way you will not have to worry about finding a pharmacy in an unknown area at the last minute.