Page 8 - Spanish Insight - August 2019

HAPPY HOLIDAYS?

We certainly hope so!

When you are here in Spain we want you to enjoy the experience
and make the most of your well-deserved break, however,
accidents can happen and illnesses occur. To help you whilst in in Spain is Nolotil. This product is banned
our area here is some information as a guide: in several European countries, including
Sweden, the UK and Ireland as side effects
can prove fatal to fair skinned people). Drink
IF YOU EXPERIENCE A MEDICAL 5 You will see the doctor again for the results. plenty of water to replace lost fluids – ask at
EMERGENCY, you can either: the Farmacia for an electrolyte drink, use an
• call for an ambulance (061 or 112) or *If you are taking a child is it essential to after-sun cream and apply aqueous calamine
• visit a health centre with 24-hour emergency provide this. cream or aloe vera gel to sooth and moisturize
cover or burnt skin.
• go to the emergency (urgencias) department If you are kept under observation, the visiting
of a hospital (Torre del Mar / Nerja) times are very limited (twice a day normally) OVERHEATING - Symptoms include headache,
but once admitted to a room (two beds dizziness, nausea and vomiting, muscle
To be entitled to free treatment you need to to a room) patients can, if they wish, be weakness, cramps and fatigue. If this happens,
provide a valid and up-to-date passport and accompanied by one person 24/7. lie down in a cool place and drink a rehydrating
EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) for sports drink, slightly salty water or an electrolyte
the patient. If you live here you provide your In the case of your child: drink (see above re Farmacia). Left untreated,
health card. Make sure that your child always wears the heat exhaustion can develop into heatstroke,
identification bracelet, if you had to remove it a life-threatening condition in which the body’s
Remember that the EHIC is for emergencies for some technique, insist that it be placed on temperature control stops functioning.
only for people on holiday and that, once you the other arm.
have been discharged, you are expected to PRICKLY HEAT - this itchy, irritating rash
return to your own country for any follow-up The child must always be accompanied by a develops when sweat glands become
treatment. family member or caregiver, both in the room blocked. Relieve discomfort by wearing loose
and in other areas of diagnosis or treatment, cotton clothing, taking an antihistamine to
The EHIC can be obtained by going to the with exceptions such as an operating room. relieve the itch and smoothing on aqueous
website: https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/ calamine cream or natural oatmeal cream.
healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-ehic- Make sure that the relevant information of
european-health-insurance-card/ the child is included in your medical record REPELLENTS. Some insect repellents are
and that the alerts, especially allergies to based on natural oils like citronella, eucalyptus
If you apply for an EHIC retrospectively then medicines, food, latex, etc. are conveniently or lavender. For stronger treatments the
you must ensure that it is valid from the day indicated on visible signs at the head of the Spanish Farmacias have an array of products
you needed it, otherwise you will have to pay bed and in the medical record. to repel and help with bites, including wrist
for the days not covered. In the public sector bands.
you will need your passport, your address in Some hospitals have volunteer interpreters,
Spain, and back home, plus your telephone for example the Hospital Comarcal de La FOOD POISONING - if you are suffering from
number, and proof of insurance. Axarquia in Velez-Malaga has interpreters symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
from 8:30 to 14:30 on weekdays, similarly the and stomach pain, often with a fever or aches
If you are relying on private health insurance, health centre in Nerja. There is information and pains, it could be food poisoning. Drink
you can go directly to the private sector as about these interpreters and the hospital on lots of water to avoid dehydration but don’t
directed by your provider or the hospital, it this website: www.avisavoluntariosinterpretes. eat until you’ve stopped vomiting, wait 20
is your responsibility to put the company in com minutes at least before food and then try
touch with the hospital/ health authority so eating small amounts of bland food such
that they can send a guarantee that they will For some illnesses you can prevent as bread, pasta or potatoes. If symptoms
pay for your treatment. symptoms increasing and/or try these ideas: continue, go to the Farmacia or Hospital.
SUNBURN – If your skin becomes pink and
If you have neither an EHIC nor private sore after too much time in the sun, a cool/ Spanish Insight thanks Mr Christopher
insurance, you will receive treatment but will lukewarm bath and painkiller (like aspirin) Cluderay (Torre del Mar Hospital Interpreter
have to pay for it. The hospital will need your or anti-inflammatory may help (if you’re and President of AVISA (Asociación de
passport, address and phone number in not allergic to them, please be aware that Voluntarios Intérpretes para la Salud en
Spain and at home. the Spanish Health Ministry has issued a la Axarquía), the charitable association of
warning regarding the misuse of metamizole, voluntary interpreters in the Axarquia health
In the emergency department the a painkiller whose most popular brand name service.
procedure is as follows:
1 You usually deal with the paperwork at the
reception desk on entry to the hospital Emergency cover
2 You will be seen by a nurse in Triage. S/he is available in:
will ask, in Spanish: • Algarrobo
a What the problem is
b If you have any other health problems* • Alfarnate
c If you have any allergies, especially to • Benamargosa
any medication* • Cómpeta
d What medication, if any you are taking
(take them with you if possible) • Nerja
3 You will see a doctor • Torre del Mar
4 You will have any necessary tests (blood,
urine, x-ray, scan, etc.) • Vélez-Málaga
• Viñuela

8 Spanish Insight August 2019