The most common types of illnesses are caused by contaminated food and water. Make sure food has been thoroughly cooked and is served to you fresh and hot; avoid vegetables and fruits that you haven't washed (in bottled or purified water) or peeled yourself. If you have problems, mild cases of traveler's diarrhea may respond to Imodium (known generically as loperamide) or Pepto-Bismol. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids; if you can't keep fluids down, seek medical help immediately.
Infectious diseases can be airborne or passed via mosquitoes and ticks and through direct or indirect physical contact with animals or people. Some, including Norwalk-like viruses that affect your digestive tract, can be passed along through contaminated food. Condoms can help prevent most sexually transmitted diseases, but they aren't absolutely reliable and their quality varies from country to country. Speak with your physician and check the CDC or World Health Organization websites for health alerts, particularly if you're pregnant, traveling with children, or have a chronic illness.
Specific Issues in Spain
Medical care is good in Spain, but nursing can be perfunctory, as relatives are expected to stop by and look after patients' needs. In some popular destinations, such as the Costa del Sol, there are volunteer English interpreters on hand at hospitals and clinics.
In the summer, sunburn and sunstroke are real risks in Spain. Even if you're not normally bothered by strong sun you should cover yourself up, slather on sunblock, drink plenty of fluids, and limit sun time for the first few days. If you require medical attention for any problem, ask your hotel's front desk for assistance, or go to the nearest public Centro de Salud (day hospital); in serious cases, you'll be referred to the regional hospital.
Over-the-counter remedies are available at any farmacia (pharmacy), recognizable by a large green cross outside. Some will look familiar, such as aspirina (aspirin), and other medications are sold under various brand names. If you get traveler's diarrhea, ask for an antidiarréico (antidiarrheal medicine); Fortasec is a well-known brand. Mild cases may respond to Imodium (known generically as loperamide) or Pepto-Bismol. To keep from getting dehydrated, drink plenty of purified water or herbal tea. In severe cases, rehydrate yourself with a salt-sugar solution—½ teaspoon salt (sal) and 4 tablespoons sugar (azúcar) per quart of water, or pick up a package of oral rehydration salts at any local farmacia.
If you regularly take a nonprescription medication, take a sample box or bottle with you, and the Spanish pharmacist will provide you with its local equivalent.
Aina za magonjwa zinazopatikana kwa kawaida husababishwa na chakula na maji yaliyochafuliwa. Hakikisha chakula kimepikwa vizuri na kukutolewa kwa joto na safi; kuepuka mboga na matunda ambayo hujaosha (katika maji ya chupa au safi) au kuondoa ngozi yako mwenyewe. Kwa sababu ya hali ya chini ya kuambukizwa, ugonjwa wa kuambukizwa kwa mgonjwa wa kusafiri unaweza kuambukizwa na Imidazol (Loprimol) au Pepto-Bismol. Hakikisha unakunywa maji mengi; ikiwa huwezi kuzuia maji, tafuta msaada wa matibabu mara moja. Magonjwa ya kuambukiza yanaweza kusambazwa kwa hewa au kupitia mbu na makapi na kupitia mawasiliano ya moja kwa moja au isiyo ya moja kwa moja na wanyama au watu. Baadhi ya virusi kama vile Norwalk vinavyoathiri mfumo wako wa kumeng'enya chakula vinaweza kupitishwa kupitia chakula kilichoharibiwa. Kondomu zinaweza kusaidia kuzuia magonjwa mengi yanayopitishwa kwa njia ya ngono, lakini hazina uhakika kabisa na ubora wao hutofautiana kutoka nchi moja hadi nyingine. Jifunze na daktari wako na angalia tovuti za CDC au Shirika la Afya Ulimwenguni kwa tahadhari za afya, haswa ikiwa una mimba, unasafiri na watoto, au una ugonjwa wa kudumu. Matatizo maalum nchini Hispania Huduma za matibabu ni nzuri nchini Hispania, lakini uuguzi unaweza kuwa wa kawaida, kwani jamaa wanatarajiwa kuegemea na kutunza mahitaji ya wagonjwa. Katika maeneo fulani maarufu, kama vile Costa del Sol, kuna watafsiri wa Kiingereza wa kujitolea katika hospitali na kliniki. Katika majira ya kiangazi, kuungua kwa jua na kiharusi cha jua ni hatari halisi nchini Hispania. Hata kama kwa kawaida hufanyi kazi na jua kali, unapaswa kujifunika, kutumia krimu ya jua, kunywa maji mengi, na kupunguza muda wa jua kwa siku chache za kwanza. Ikiwa unahitaji matibabu kwa sababu ya tatizo lolote, uliza mteja wa hoteli yako kwa msaada, au nenda kwenye kituo cha afya cha umma kilicho karibu; katika kesi mbaya, utaelekezwa kwenye hospitali ya mkoa. Dawa zisizouzwa kwa dawa zinapatikana katika duka lolote la dawa, ambazo zinaweza kutambuliwa kwa msalaba mkubwa wa kijani nje. Baadhi ya dawa hizo zinaonekana kuwa za kawaida, kama vile aspirin, na dawa nyingine zinauzwa chini ya majina mbalimbali. Ikiwa unapata kuhara kwa msafiri, uliza antidiarréico (dawa ya kuhara); Fortasec ni bidhaa inayojulikana sana. Matukio ya upole yanaweza kujibu Imodium ( inayojulikana kwa ujumla kama loperamide) au Pepto-Bismol. Ili uepuke kukosa maji mwilini, kunywa maji mengi yaliyosafishwa au chai ya mitishamba. Katika hali mbaya, rehydrate mwenyewe na mchanganyiko wa chumvi na sukari - 1⁄2 tablespoon ya chumvi (sal) na 4 tablespoons ya sukari (azúcar) kwa lita moja ya maji, au kuchukua kifurushi cha chumvi ya rehydration ya mdomo katika pharmacy yoyote ya ndani. Ikiwa unapata dawa za kawaida, chukua sanduku la sampuli au chupa na mfamasia wa Uhispania atakupa sawa na yake.