If You Get Sick

In hot climates, even a small wound can become infected. Clean wounds carefully and protect them from dirt and further injury. A clean dressing or plaster can help protect the wound while it heals and should be changed if it becomes wet or dirty.

Wounds should generally be cleaned with clean running water. Seek medical attention if a wound is deep or heavily contaminated, does not begin to heal, or becomes increasingly red, swollen, painful or produces pus.

Grazes and Abrasions

Clean the wound thoroughly with clean running water and gently remove any visible dirt or debris. Clean the surrounding skin and cover the wound with a sterile or clean dressing.

Cuts

Apply gentle pressure to stop any bleeding, then rinse the wound thoroughly with clean running water and remove visible dirt or foreign material. Small cuts can be protected with a sterile dressing, and wound-closure strips may sometimes be used to bring together the edges of a clean, superficial cut. Seek medical attention for deep or gaping cuts, persistent bleeding or wounds that may require stitches.

Puncture Wounds

Clean the wound thoroughly with clean running water. Puncture wounds may be deeper than they appear and can carry an increased risk of infection. Seek medical advice for deep or contaminated puncture wounds and make sure that your tetanus vaccination is up to date.

Burns

Cool the burn under cool running water as soon as possible. Do not use ice, and do not deliberately burst any blisters.

Small, superficial burns can be covered loosely with a sterile, non-stick dressing. Seek medical attention for deep or extensive burns, burns involving the face, hands, feet, genitals or major joints, or if there are signs of infection. Children with significant burns should be assessed particularly carefully.

Blisters

Friction blisters can be protected with blister plasters or other suitable dressings. These can also be applied preventively to areas where you commonly develop blisters.

Major Wounds

Apply firm, direct pressure to control bleeding using a clean dressing or cloth. If possible, raise the injured area. Seek urgent medical attention for severe bleeding, deep wounds or major injuries.

Dental Problems While Travelling

Dental problems while travelling can be both troublesome and expensive. Changes in pressure may occasionally trigger pain from an existing dental problem, for example during air travel or scuba diving.

Sensitive Teeth

Avoid very cold, hot or acidic food and drinks if these trigger pain. Continue to clean your teeth carefully despite the discomfort.

Toothache

For mild toothache, appropriate pain relief may provide temporary relief until you can see a dentist. See also the section on your Travel Health Kit.

Toothache with Fever or Swelling

Seek dental care promptly if toothache is accompanied by fever or swelling of the gums, mouth, face or jaw. Severe or rapidly increasing swelling, particularly if it affects breathing or swallowing, requires urgent medical attention.

Lost Fillings

Temporary dental filling material may sometimes be used as a short-term measure until you can see a dentist.

Lost Crowns or Bridges

Temporary dental cement may sometimes be used as a short-term measure. Arrange dental care as soon as reasonably possible.

Chipped or Broken Tooth

See a dentist. If a piece of tooth has broken off, keep it moist, preferably in milk or saliva, and take it with you to the dentist.

Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth – Act Quickly

A knocked-out permanent tooth requires urgent dental treatment. Hold the tooth by the crown, not the root. If it is dirty, rinse it gently in milk, saline or saliva without scrubbing it. If possible, carefully place the tooth back into its socket. If this is not possible, keep it in milk or saliva and seek emergency dental care immediately. Never reinsert a knocked-out baby tooth.

If You Need Medical Care

The availability and standard of healthcare vary considerably between countries and regions. Major or private hospitals may be well equipped, but standards of hygiene, treatment and medical practice may still differ from what you are used to at home. Healthcare facilities are often more readily available in larger cities than in rural or remote areas.

If you need medical care, your travel insurer or assistance company, tour operator, hotel, embassy or consulate may be able to help you find an appropriate healthcare provider.

Travelling in Europe

If you are eligible for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), take it with you when travelling within the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland or the United Kingdom. It gives you access to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay under the same conditions and at the same cost as people insured in the country you are visiting.

The EHIC does not replace travel insurance and does not normally cover private healthcare or repatriation to your home country.

Private Healthcare and Travel Insurance

If you receive private medical care, you may be required to pay the full cost yourself at the time of treatment. Contact your travel insurer or assistance company before arranging expensive treatment, hospital admission or medical transport whenever circumstances allow.

To make an insurance claim, you will usually need receipts and medical documentation, preferably in English or another language accepted by your insurer.

Remember

  • Seek medical attention promptly if you may need a medical certificate or other documentation for your insurance claim.
  • Medical documentation will normally need to be issued by a healthcare professional who has assessed you.
  • Keep all receipts.
  • Ask for copies of your medical records or a medical certificate, preferably in English.
  • Contact your insurer or assistance company if you require expensive treatment, hospital admission or medical transport.

Injections and Blood Transfusions

Make sure that needles, syringes and other medical equipment used for your care are sterile or designed for single use. If possible, avoid non-essential invasive procedures in settings where appropriate infection-control standards cannot be assured.

If a blood transfusion is necessary, it should be performed in a reputable healthcare facility using appropriately screened blood.

Medicines

Medicines available without prescription vary considerably between countries, and products sold locally may differ in composition, strength or quality from medicines you are familiar with. Avoid taking medicines if you do not know exactly what they contain, why they are being used or how they should be taken.

Whenever possible, obtain medicines from a reputable pharmacy or healthcare provider. Seek medical attention if you develop a suspected serious reaction to a medicine, particularly difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or a severe or widespread skin reaction.

In the Event of Serious Illness or an Accident

Contact your travel insurer or the emergency assistance company specified in your insurance documents as soon as possible. Keep your policy number, proof of insurance and important emergency contact details easily accessible throughout your trip.

Tip: Save your insurer's international emergency assistance number in your mobile phone before travelling and keep a separate copy with your travel documents.


Senast uppdaterad 2026-09-02