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HEALTH |
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No vaccinations are required to visit Romania, but hepatitis A,
polio and typhoid boosters would be wise if you're planning to stay in
remote areas where cooking and sanitation are sometimes none too
hygienic. There's a reciprocal health agreement between Romania and
Western countries (including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia and New
Zealand) so emergency treatment (excluding drugs) is free. Don't forget
to take out travel insurance in case of serious illness or accident.
Keep all receipts so you can reclaim the money later
Specific hazards
Beyond an occasional headache from traffic fumes, Romania's pollution
and other environmental problems are unlikely to have much effect on any
short-term visitor. Diarrhoea can be a problem, so stock up with Lomotil
before you leave (remember that this treats only symptoms, not causes),
besides any specific medication required. Bring tampons and
contraceptives with you, since these are hard to find in Romania. In
summer you'll also need a strong sun block , and very strong insect
repellent if visiting the Danube Delta. Dogs should be avoided (there's
a slight risk of rabies), but tap water is safe to drink practically
everywhere, and you'll find taps or drinking fountains at many train
stations. However, there have been isolated outbreaks of cholera in
recent years in Târgu Mures and on the coast. Bottled water ( apa
minerala ) is widely available.
HIV and AIDS
AIDS (SIDA) was first identified in Romania in 1984, but the government
refused to admit its existence until 1987, and took no effective
measures to control the reuse of hypodermic needles before the
revolution. In 1990 there were officially 1000 AIDS cases, and in late
1999 this had risen to 7000. These are almost all children, infected by
the perverse custom of giving babies "microtransfusions", usually with
dirty needles, to fortify them.
Pharmacies, doctors and hospitals
In case of minor complaints, go to a pharmacy ( farmacie ), where the
staff are usually well trained and have the authority to prescribe drugs,
and - in the big towns at least - may understand English, French or
German. In theory, one pharmacy in each town should be open 24 hours, or
at least display in the window an emergency number.
In Bucharest, the British and American embassies can supply the address
of an English-speaking doctor or dentist , and there's a special clinic
for treating foreigners. In emergencies dial 961 or ask someone to
contact the local casualty ( statia de salvare ) or first aid ( prim
ajutor ) station, which should have ambulances. Each county capital has
a fairly well-equipped County Hospital ( Spital Judetean ), but
hospitals and health centres ( policlinics ) in smaller towns can be
dire, and most places suffer from demoralized staff and a shortage of
drugs. Foreigners are likely to receive preferential treatment, but
Romanians routinely pay large tips to doctors and nurses to ensure that
they're well cared for.
Spas
Spa holidays are much favoured by Romanians, following the Hapsburg
tradition, and the country boasts one third of all Europe's mineral
springs, and 160 spa resorts ( baile ). The theory is that you stay in a
resort for about eighteen days, following a prescribed course of
treatment, and ideally return regularly over the next few years. However,
for the tourist, if you can get cheap accommodation (best booked at a
travel agency in almost any town) a spa can be a good base for a holiday.
In any case it's worth bearing in mind that even the smallest spas have
campsites and restaurants.
The basic treatment naturally involves drinking the waters , which come
in an amazing variety: alkaline, chlorinated, radioactive, carbogaseous,
and sodium-, iodine-, magnesium-, sulphate- or iron-bearing. In addition
you can bathe in hot springs or sapropelic muds, breath in foul fumes at
mofettes, or indulge in a new generation of complementary therapies such
as ultrasound and aerosol treatment, ultraviolet light baths,
acupuncture and electrotherapy. A great deal of work has been done to
put a scientific gloss on spa treatment, and drugs such as Pellamar,
Gerovital H3 and Aslavital, said to stop and even reverse the aging
process, have been developed here. Treatment is available at all major
spas, and at the Otopeni clinic, 2km from Otopeni airport.
The spas all have their own areas of specialization: Sovata is the best
place for gynaecological problems ; Covasna, Vatra Dornei and Buzias
deal with cardiovascular complaints ; Calimanesti-Caciulata, Slanic
Moldova, Sângeorz-Bai and Baile Olanesti with the digestion ; and others
(notably Baile Herculane and Baile Felix) with a range of locomotive and
rheumatic ailments . Mountain resorts such as Sinaia, Baile Tusnad and
Moneasa treat nervous complaints , not with water but with fresh air
that has an ideal balance of ozone and ions.
ONT distributes a booklet and makes bookings from abroad, although given
current levels of business, you can save money by booking in Romania if
you have time. There are also links to booking agencies from the
www.rotravel.com Web site.
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