Navigating medical issues abroad

No one generally envisions getting sick while traveling. When I planned out this trip, I imagined exploring neighborhoods with friends, practicing my Spanish in public, and checking out nearby cities. But, as we all know, things do not always go according to plan. 

On the week of March 3, I was excited to have some time off because my school was closed for Carnaval, a state holiday in Argentina filled with festivals, dancing, partying, and more. I woke up a bit late and realized that I was out of coffee. So, I decided to head to a cafe down the street. I braved the rain, took a seat, and ordered two medialunas (sweet croissants) along with a coffee. 

After finishing both medialunas and my coffee, I began to notice a scratchy feeling in my throat. I do not typically have allergies, but I’ve always avoided nuts since I dislike them and I’ve felt similar throat sensations in the past. Still, I shrugged it off, thinking it was nothing major. I asked the waiter for a glass of water to ease my throat, then I made my way back home. 

Medialunas and coffee

Once I got back to my apartment, I started to feel lightheaded and my throat was a bit swollen. I did a quick search online to check if there was anything atypical in the medialunas or coffee I had. Nothing. Just in case, I also looked up emergency medical services, thinking I might need to call an ambulance. Before jumping to any conclusions, I decided to sit in the lobby of my building with some water. I figured it might be better to at least be around other people who could help if I really needed them. I even wrote down, “Creo que estoy tener una reaccíon alergica” on a piece of paper (not my best Spanish, I admit, but it would have got the message across). 

I ended up being fine. That afternoon was difficult, and I felt unwell the following day. I took a Benadryl and stayed in my apartment during that time. I’m still not entirely sure what caused the sickness. Of course, I’m not a medical professional, so I don’t like to self-diagnose. However, this experience made me realize the added complexity of addressing medical issues in a country where I’m not fluent in the language. I’ve also become more aware of the emergency service numbers in case I need them. 

A few weeks later, I was planning my trip to Bolivia. I received conflicting information about whether I needed the Yellow Fever vaccine for entry. Although I wasn’t visiting an area where the vaccine was strictly necessary, I heard stories of travelers being turned away at the border. After some contemplation, I decided to get the vaccine. 

Upon recommendation, I visited a public hospital to receive vaccination. I walked in on a Tuesday and said, “Necesito la vacuna para fiebre amarailla.” After some back and forth, they scheduled me for the following morning at 8:30 AM. I returned to the hospital on Wednesday, showed them my passport and they filled out a vaccine certificate. I received the vaccine within a few minutes. The staff was very professional, and the experience was quite positive. The hospital did not charge me. 

Vaccine certificate

I certainly did not start this blog to discuss political issues, but I can’t help but reflect on my experience at the public hospital in Argentina through the lens of my home country’s health insurance system. The United States, despite being one of the world’s wealthiest nations with significant resources, has a health insurance system that is wildly expensive, complicated, and inefficient, and most citizens are dissatisfied with it. In contrast, my experience at the public hospital in Argentina was very positive. It was simple, easy, efficient, and overall good experience.