The most common medical complaints on vacation

Several complaints are happy to correct (and prevent)
Rashes, bites Insects and diarrhea are the three most common medical complaints of Dutch vacationers. This is evidenced by Medicinfo's medical contact center data, where more than 2,000 calls and applications from worried holidaymakers arrive at rush hours each week.

Young people

This year, the increase in the number of young people using the medical service ask questions about a possible STI or pregnancy. Fortunately, many complaints can be rectified quickly and a visit to a foreign doctor is therefore not (immediately) necessary or avoided.

The Medical Contact Center, which acts on behalf of various health insurers, helps to prevent foreign hospitals need and offer personalized advice at the same time. Many Dutch are behind: you go with a slight earache at the GP abroad, then you go out with a bag full of antibiotics which you doubt that is the right solution. In addition, it is easier to discuss your health in your own language

Top 5 complaints

The most common medical complaints can be resolved quickly without having to go to the hospital or to take unfamiliar medicines. It is there that most Dutch people ask a question by application or by phone:

1. Rash caused by an allergy and sunburn.

2. Insect bites (mainly mosquitoes).

3. Diarrhea due to the consumption of contaminated water

4. Missed Pill and STD Risk

5. Ear pain after flying or swimming

Appen popular

In June of this year, the number of questions per application was 84% ​​higher than at the same time in 2017. Medicinfo nurses and doctors note that to discuss their questions by application. These questions mainly concern STDs and possible pregnancies. Women who are concerned about forgetting the pill appreciate it from having personal contact. When the questions about rashes, the application is also popular because an image can be shared immediately.

Rabies

Rabies, better known as rabies, is another subject that is much talked about. Until recently, anyone traveling in a risk area has been advised to vaccinate against this situation. Currently, there is a national shortage of the vaccine. After a bite or a stroke of a dog, cat, bat or monkey, it is important to learn locally about the need for vaccination.

5 Tips

Preventing is better than cure, that's why it's good to know what you can do yourself to avoid the most common complaints or to fix them yourself.

1. Beware of the exhaust of this cute scooter that you are going to rent! Do you have a burn? Cool for at least 30 minutes with lukewarm water.

2. Do not pet strange animals, no matter how cute they are. Be careful when visiting caves to avoid being infected with rabies bats

3. Take an anti-insecticide, such as deet, against mosquitoes. This sounds logical, but it's something that many people forget at the last moment.

4. However difficult: do not scratch the bites or the bites of insects, that causes an inflammation!

5. Always take an extra strip of contraceptive pill, or a few extra pills, in your wallet (of course next to the condom versus an STD).

Free Help Lines

Make sure to go for the holidays and Dutch medical service applications in and on your phone. These are available free of charge and 7 days a week. Check your health insurer's website to see what services they offer.

www.medicinfo.nl