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In Spain, you are likely to find that medical staff will prescribe the most appropriate available medication based on your signs and symptoms. This is quite different, it appears, from the US, where medication advertising is allowed and patients might have already formed a view about what medications they want irrespective of their lack of formal medical qualifications.Aaaand it's anyone's guess (or the WHO and EU) whether Spain has access to the antiviral you're seeking.
you know nothing of my situation and knowledge. your judgmental comments are inappropriate and lacking in empathy.In Spain, you are likely to find that medical staff will prescribe the most appropriate available medication based on your signs and symptoms. This is quite different, it appears, from the US, where medication advertising is allowed and patients might have already formed a view about what medications they want irrespective of their lack of formal medical qualifications.
Good plan, no rush but useful in the first few days of symptoms. The rules vary country by country as to who gets what and for what indications . I will be interested to read how this goes for you. In Australia a private course (no Government subsidy) to take on your international travels is available to buy at almost $1200 Aus dollars on doctors private prescription. For mild Covid it may still be cheaper to take a course with you from your country of origin. And I hope you feel better soon!I just tested positive for COVID and want to see if I can get an antiviral med. what’s the best way to see doc in Leon? Recommendations for hospitals with shorter ER wait times (I know private hospitals are sometimes preferable in Spain)? I have good travel insurance. Many thx for your help.
Where's the judgement, @catgnat? Or lack of empathy? I just read a statement of fact, that's confirmed by Rebekah's experience:you know nothing of my situation and knowledge. your judgmental comments are inappropriate and lacking in empathy.
We don't know your situation, of course, or your qualifications. But you may find antivirals are not so easily gotten than in the US.I live in Spain and have had Covid there.
Antivirals are only given to people with serious symptoms or risk factors that require hospital admission.
Or at least that was the case last February, when I was hospitalized.
@catgnat, Let me suggest that you re-read my comments with an open mind because quite clearly you haven't.you know nothing of my situation and knowledge. your judgmental comments are inappropriate and lacking in empathy.
many thanks for all the helpful informationYou are sick, you are in a foreign country and it seems you have no companion to help you. That is not a good situation to be in, but before you put yourself through the stress of navigating a foreign medical system, there are a few things it would be useful for you to know:
Firstly, the Spanish public health system is first rate, as I can tell you from personal experience.
Secondly, a Spanish doctor will prescribe precisely the treatment and medication they regard as necessary, no more no less and will flatly refuse to prescribe anything else.
Thirdly, the best place for you to go to would be a Centro de Salud or policlinico, not ER ('Urgencias') unless you have an underlying medical condition that requires immediate or specialist treatment. Alternatively a private hospital will treat you in the same way as a public facility, but at greater cost. There will be a Centro de Salud nearby (use Google Maps or ask in a pharmacy) although it may not be attended every day if it is in a rural area.
Fourthly, you are Covid positive, consider whether you need to enter a medical facility at all.
Fifthly, some medications may be in very short supply in Spain, unobtainable, or unapproved.
I hope you get well soon. I had Covid in Spain too, so I can understand what it must be like for you.
You're welcome. Hope you get better soon and can continue your camino.many thanks for all the helpful information
I found costs at public health facilities to be all over the place - from 0€ when I stopped by a Centro de Salud because I needed antibiotics to treat an infection to 350€ for a quick exam at the public hospital in Santiago when I had shin splints - a bill which I didn't receive until I had been home for three months, and which cost me an additional $30 to pay because they would only accept a wire transfer.Alternatively a private hospital will treat you in the same way as a public facility, but at greater cost.
So sorry, I don’t have answers but wanted to offer sympathy- I also tested positive yesterday in Leon. I’m pretty miserable but I think I’m okay without a doc right now. Mainly just a moderately high fever w/ accompanying body aches and chills, and really stuffy nose/ears. I hope yours is better soon!!I just tested positive for COVID and want to see if I can get an antiviral med. what’s the best way to see doc in Leon? Recommendations for hospitals with shorter ER wait times (I know private hospitals are sometimes preferable in Spain)? I have good travel insurance. Many thx for your help.
I know what you mean. I've had to use the Spanish public health system twice, and not been billed either time (as it happens, I'm entitled to free health service in Spain but they didn't even ask my nationality). I think the reason is that it is not a system designed to obtain money from 'customers'. It is designed and mainly financed as a free public health system. However, foreigners are technically not entitled to free treatment unless there is a reciprocal agreement between their country and Spain. I suspect Spanish health professionals often don't bother to go through the paperwork and red tape involved in billing because a) they are very busy and b) they don't believe they should. This would be especially true of a centro de salud but not necessarily a big hospital in a city visited by lots of tourists. Hence the inconsistency.I found costs at public health facilities to be all over the place - from 0€ when I stopped by a Centro de Salud because I needed antibiotics to treat an infection to 350€ for a quick exam at the public hospital in Santiago when I had shin splints - a bill which I didn't receive until I had been home for three months, and which cost me an additional $30 to pay because they would only accept a wire transfer.
I preferred my experience at the private hospital on a subsequent trip because I received a bill at time of service and was able to pay it immediately with credit card. I then had all the paperwork that I needed to submit to my travel insurance for reimbursement. And the cost for that visit which included x-rays and stitches wasn't much higher than the 350€ for the very cursory exam I had received for my shin splints.
My husband and I are a few days behind you on the Camino Frances. It seems as if everyone around us is coughing and sick. It appears that my husband and I have come down with some sort of virus. We will get tested at the nearest pharmacy. Unfortunately, tomorrow is Sunday and there is no pharmacy in the town that we are staying. We are staying in a private room. However many others who are sick have not been doing that ( hence lots of people are getting sick).I just tested positive for COVID and want to see if I can get an antiviral med. what’s the best way to see doc in Leon? Recommendations for hospitals with shorter ER wait times (I know private hospitals are sometimes preferable in Spain)? I have good travel insurance. Many thx for your help.
In Spain, you are likely to find that medical staff will prescribe the most appropriate available medication based on your signs and symptoms. This is quite different, it appears, from the US, where medication advertising is allowed and patients might have already formed a view about what medications they want irrespective of their lack of formal medical qualifications.
I just tested positive for COVID and want to see if I can get an antiviral med.
So sorry, I don’t have answers but wanted to offer sympathy- I also tested positive yesterday in Leon. I’m pretty miserable but I think I’m okay without a doc right now. Mainly just a moderately high fever w/ accompanying body aches and chills, and really stuffy nose/ears. I hope yours is be
We are so sorry to hear that you are sick. Please keep us all posted as to your progress. We hope you heal quickly.I just tested positive for COVID and want to see if I can get an antiviral med. what’s the best way to see doc in Leon? Recommendations for hospitals with shorter ER wait times (I know private hospitals are sometimes preferable in Spain)? I have good travel insurance. Many thx for your help.
Is there a store in the town where you are that sells self tests?My husband and I are a few days behind you on the Camino Frances. It seems as if everyone around us is coughing and sick. It appears that my husband and I have come down with some sort of virus. We will get tested at the nearest pharmacy. Unfortunately, tomorrow is Sunday and there is no pharmacy in the town that we are staying. We are staying in a private room. However many others who are sick have not been doing that ( hence lots of people are getting sick).
Pretty sick, but hanging in there. Thanks for asking. I’m working at seeing this as just another part of the Camino to learn from. The Camino has never been about the walking for me, more the opportunity to learn about myself. Peace.How are you doing?
Yes, I think a lot of folks are sick. I hope you feel better and find a rest. Best of luckIs there a store in the town where you are that sells self tests?
Hang in there @catgnat! I hope you feel better very soon.Pretty sick, but hanging in there.
Agreed on coughing all around, it’s respiratory season.My husband and I are a few days behind you on the Camino Frances. It seems as if everyone around us is coughing and sick. It appears that my husband and I have come down with some sort of virus. We will get tested at the nearest pharmacy. Unfortunately, tomorrow is Sunday and there is no pharmacy in the town that we are staying. We are staying in a private room. However many others who are sick have not been doing that ( hence lots of people are getting sick).
That’s exactly what we’re doing and for the same reason. Take care. Hope you’re completely recovered soon!Agreed on coughing all around, it’s respiratory season.
Some of the Albergues sound like a tree-planting camp I’d worked in ages ago. “Camp cough” seems to be going around. Kitchen hygiene in the albergues is nowhere near as good as I saw in the work camp, so not surprising.
I’ve a sniffle and a slight cough, nothing more, but have changed my reservations to hotel rooms instead of albergues, though I did have to take the hit on the fees due to the late cancellation.
I wouldn’t want to be next to some guy coughing, so I decided to not be that guy to others.
Seeing this on the Primitivo too. plenty of people coughing, sneezing… not testing, and continuing to stay in dorms. I’ve resorted to using private rooms to stay away from it as much as I can, and I brought a pile of tests with me (that I am using) so that I do not unwittingly make someone sick. But I am pretty disgusted at the selfishness of obviously sick people who are not testing… the lack of care for the communities they are walking through…. I am ashamed and sorrowful…My husband and I are a few days behind you on the Camino Frances. It seems as if everyone around us is coughing and sick. It appears that my husband and I have come down with some sort of virus. We will get tested at the nearest pharmacy. Unfortunately, tomorrow is Sunday and there is no pharmacy in the town that we are staying. We are staying in a private room. However many others who are sick have not been doing that ( hence lots of people are getting sick).
I just tested positive for COVID and want to see if I can get an antiviral med. what’s the best way to see doc in Leon? Recommendations for hospitals with shorter ER wait times (I know private hospitals are sometimes preferable in Spain)? I have good travel insurance. Many thx for your help
Absolutely agree with you.Seeing this on the Primitivo too. plenty of people coughing, sneezing… not testing, and continuing to stay in dorms. I’ve resorted to using private rooms to stay away from it as much as I can, and I brought a pile of tests with me (that I am using) so that I do not unwittingly make someone sick. But I am pretty disgusted at the selfishness of obviously sick people who are not testing… the lack of care for the communities they are walking through…. I am ashamed and sorrowful…
Unfortunately, my husband and I just tested positive for Covid. We are staying in Leon in a private apartment.I just tested positive for COVID and want to see if I can get an antiviral med. what’s the best way to see doc in Leon? Recommendations for hospitals with shorter ER wait times (I know private hospitals are sometimes preferable in Spain)? I have good travel insurance. Many thx for your help.
As we all know, everyone experiences Covid differently and in my case it’s left me really drained, I foresee no way to start walking again comfortably in the next few days and have decided to end this years camino and fly home next week. I’ll continue to convalesque in my hotel here in Leon until then. Next year, I’ll just pick up where I left off!So sorry, I don’t have answers but wanted to offer sympathy- I also tested positive yesterday in Leon. I’m pretty miserable but I think I’m okay without a doc right now. Mainly just a moderately high fever w/ accompanying body aches and chills, and really stuffy nose/ears. I hope yours is better soon!!
No, thankfully mine seems to be concentrated in my head rather than my chest. I’m so sorry yours seems to be in your lungs, I’d definitely seek medical care in that case!I’m so sorry to hear that. Did you go to the Hospital HM Regla which is in the middle of the old town? I’m not feeling well at all and am feeling a lot of tightness in my chest so if it gets difficult to breathe it would be good to have a plan in place.
My husband’s symptoms were like a cold but I’m not getting off that easy I’m afraid. We’re staying near the Cathedral in an apartment and there is a hospital there if we need it. Hopefully I can get better without that. I hope you recover fully and finish your Camino next year.No, thankfully mine seems to be concentrated in my head rather than my chest. I’m so sorry yours seems to be in your lungs, I’d definitely seek medical care in that case!
My husband’s symptoms were like a cold but I’m not getting off that easy I’m afraid. We’re staying near the Cathedral in an apartment and there is a hospital there if we need it. Hopefully I can get better without that. I hope you recover fully and finish your Camino next year.
I won’t. Thank you. I’ve had two primary vaccines and two boosters so I’m hoping they come through for me. If not, I will head over to the hospital. It’s 24 hour care.Hope you feel better soon. But please do not hesitate too long for consulting a doctor.
May you stay well, @Perambulating Griffin. I'm sorry you're in the middle of all that - in your shoes I'd be hopping mad.But I am pretty disgusted at the selfishness of obviously sick people who are not testing… the lack of care for the communities they are walking through…. I am ashamed and sorrowful
So far so good, and I’m fortunate to be able to book rooms to stay away from crowds. But it hadn’t been the plan, for sure.Wow, everybody. It's a wave, and not the kind we usually think about.
May you all get better soon!
May you stay well, @Perambulating Griffin. I'm sorry you're in the middle of all that - in your shoes I'd be hopping mad.
We’re feeling better today so the vaccines are doing what they’re supposed to do. We are healing well in our apartment. We’ve decided as soon as we test negative, to continue at a pace that we’re comfortable with. We’ll see how it goes !So far so good, and I’m fortunate to be able to book rooms to stay away from crowds. But it hadn’t been the plan, for sure.
Mostly I am concerned for those who may be “knee-capped” as @IVF has encountered.
Antiviral meds are reserved for those over 65 or with pre-existing severe vulnerabilities. You can try going to a local Centro de Salud, but unless you are in one of those categories, you won't be scripted the antivirals (risk vs benefit is the reason with age and/or pre-exiting condition being the metrics used for risk-benefit assessment).I just tested positive for COVID and want to see if I can get an antiviral med. what’s the best way to see doc in Leon? Recommendations for hospitals with shorter ER wait times (I know private hospitals are sometimes preferable in Spain)? I have good travel insurance. Many thx for your help.
I tested positive 10 days ago and holed up in an apartment until I tested negative. Still very tired and not yet walking again I am 68 and vaxxed and was told by the Dr I saw that the anti-virals are reserved for people needing hospitalization. It’s very different here than in the states. Feel better!! And don’t push it. The other advice I was given is too much physical activity too soon can cause problems later on.I just tested positive for COVID and want to see if I can get an antiviral med. what’s the best way to see doc in Leon? Recommendations for hospitals with shorter ER wait times (I know private hospitals are sometimes preferable in Spain)? I have good travel insurance. Many thx for your help.
I had to make many late cancellations because of COVID and every single one of them refunded me anyway. What a sweet blessing!! As I had to pay for an apartment to recover in and that wasn’t cheap. So….let them know why you are cancelling after the grace period and they may do the same.Agreed on coughing all around, it’s respiratory season.
Some of the Albergues sound like a tree-planting camp I’d worked in ages ago. “Camp cough” seems to be going around. Kitchen hygiene in the albergues is nowhere near as good as I saw in the work camp, so not surprising.
I’ve a sniffle and a slight cough, nothing more, but have changed my reservations to hotel rooms instead of albergues, though I did have to take the hit on the fees due to the late cancellation.
I wouldn’t want to be next to some guy coughing, so I decided to not be that guy to others.
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