If you’re worried about getting sick while traveling, rest assured: Most of Europe offers high-quality medical care that’s as competent as what you’ll fi nd at home. The majority of Europe’s doctors and pharmacists speak at least some English, so communication generally isn’t an issue.

[2] Nearly all European countries have a universal health care system. Though some people refer to it as Europe’s “free health care” system, in reality, it’s not really free. While each country has its own variation, the common denominator1denominator共同特征。is that everyone pays for health care as a society—intending to minimize the overall expense and spread around the cost and risk so that an unlucky few are not bankrupted by medical costs. This also ensures that those living in poverty can get the care they might not otherwise be able to afford.

如若担心在旅途中生病，你大可放心：欧洲大部分国家提供高品质医疗服务，与你在自己国家享受到的一样好。大多数欧洲医生或药剂师都至少会几句英语，交流基本不成问题。

[2]几乎所有欧洲国家都实行全民医疗制度。有些人称它为欧洲的“免费医疗”制度，但它实际并非真正免费。虽然各个国家会有些差异，但共同之处是，社会中的每个人都为医疗服务买单——其目的是让整体费用最小化，分摊成本，分散风险，从而使少数不幸的人不至于因为医药费而倾家荡产。这可以确保贫困人口得到原本可能负担不起的治疗。

[3] Luckily, I’ve never been seriously injured while traveling in Europe. But I hear countless tales about travelers needing medical treatment. One person told me about how she sprained her ankle during a visit to Denmark. She was X-rayed, bandaged up, and given a pair of crutches to use. The hospital did not ask her to pay a dime—only to return the crutches when she left Denmark. And a staff member of mine, whose infant son received excellent care after a lung infection in France, came home to declare,“Anyone who says socialized medical care is subpar2subpar不到一般（或预期）水平的。hasn’t seen it in action.”

[4] While no system is perfect, Europe’s universal health care does mean that everyone is taken care of—including foreigners. So if you get sick or injured while traveling, you will receive treatment, no questions asked.

[3]幸运的是，我在欧洲旅行时从没受过重伤。但我却听过许多故事，都是需要接受治疗的游客的亲身经历。有个人告诉我，她在丹麦旅行时扭伤了脚踝，医院给她拍了X光片，包扎了脚，还发给她一副拐杖，没问她要一分钱——只是让她离开丹麦前归还拐杖。我的一名员工，其刚出生的儿子在法国时肺部感染，其间接受了极好的治疗，回国后说：“说社会化医疗制度不行的人，肯定没见过它是怎样运作的。”

[4]虽说没有哪个制度是完美的，但欧洲的全民医疗确实照顾到每个人——包括外国人在内。毫无疑问，你要是在旅途中生了病、受了伤，都会得到治疗。

急诊

[5]在旅途中如果发生意外或生命垂危需要就医，请直接上医院。遇到重症（中风、心脏病发作、严重的交通事故），请叫辆救护车。在欧洲大多数国家，都可以拨打112，这是欧盟国家呼叫救护车、消防队或警察的通用急救电话。大多数国家也可以拨打911。你也可以请求旅馆老板、餐厅负责人或周围的人帮忙叫辆救护车（情况不严重也可以叫辆出租车）。

Emergencies

[5] If an accident or life-threatening medical problem occurs on the road,get to a hospital. For serious conditions(stroke, heart attack, bad car accident),summon3summon召唤，请来。an ambulance. In most countries, you can call 112, the European Union’s universal emergency number for ambulance, fire department, or police. Most countries also have a 911 equivalent that works as well. Or you can ask your hotelier, restaurant host, or whoever’s around to call an ambulance(or a taxi for less dire situations).

[6] Be aware that you will likely have to pay out of pocket4out of pocket垫付的。for any medical treatment, even if your insurance company provides international health care coverage. A visit to the emergency room can be free or cost only a nominal fee, or it can be expensive, depending on where you are and what treatment you need.Make sure you get a copy of your bill so that when you return home, you can fi le a claim5file a claim提出索赔。to be reimbursed6reimburse付还。. If you purchased travel insurance to serve as your primary medical coverage, call the company as soon as possible to report the injury. They can usually work directly with the hospital to get your bills paid.

Minor Ailments

[7] If you get sick on your trip, don’t wait it out. Find help to get on the road to recovery as soon as possible. Here are your options if you have a nonemergency situation:

Pharmacies

[6]要清楚，即使保险公司提供国际医疗保险，你还是有可能会垫付一些医药费。看一次急诊可能不用花钱或只是象征性付点费用，但也可能十分昂贵，这取决于你所在的国家和所需接受的治疗。务必复印一份付费收据，这样回国就可以让保险公司报销了。如果购买了旅行险充当基本医疗保险，则应尽快将伤情通知保险公司。保险公司通常能直接与医院结算你的医疗费用。

轻疾

[7]旅途中生了病，不要等待自愈。一定要寻求帮助，以求尽快康复。非紧急情况下，可做如下选择：

药店

[8]欧洲人生病后普遍会先去药店，并不会直接看医生。欧洲的药剂师可以诊断病情，还可以为很多简单病症开具处方，例如咽喉痛、发烧、胃病、鼻窦炎、失眠、水疱、皮疹、尿路感染或者肌肉、关节及背部疼痛。大部分城市都至少有几家24小时药店，你可以在那里买到所需的药品，并很快好转。

[8] Throughout Europe, people with a health problem go first to the pharmacy,not to their doctor. European pharmacists can diagnose and prescribe remedies for many simple problems, such as sore throats, fevers, stomach issues, sinus problems, insomnia, blisters, rashes,urinary tract infections, or muscle, joint,and back pain. Most cities have at least a few 24-hour pharmacies from which you can pick up what you need and be on the mend7on the mend（病情）在好转中。pronto8pronto马上；立即。.

[9] When it comes to medication, expect some differences between the way things are done in Europe and at home.Certain drugs that you need a prescription for in the US are available over the counter9over the counter（尤指药物）不凭处方。in Europe. Some drugs go by different names. And some European medications can be stronger than their counterparts in the US, so follow directions and dosages10dosage（通常指药的）剂量。carefully. Also, topical11topical（身体）局部的。remedies are common in Europe; if you’re suffering from body aches and pains, or any swelling, don’t be surprised if a pharmacist prescribes a cream to apply to the problem area. If you need to fi ll a prescription12fill a prescription照方配药。—even one from home—a pharmacy can generally take care of it promptly. If a pharmacist can’t help you, he or she will send you to a doctor or a health clinic.

Clinics

[10] A trip to a clinic is actually an interesting travel experience. Every year I end up in a European clinic for one reason or another, and every time I’m impressed by its ef fi ciency and effectiveness.

[11] A clinic is useful if you need to be checked for a non-emergency medical issue, get some tests done, or if your problem is beyond a pharmacist’s scope.Clinics in Europe operate just like those in the US: You’ll sign in with the receptionist, answer a few questions, then take a seat and wait for a nurse or doctor.

[9]谈到药物，欧洲和美国的处理方式就有些不同了。美国的某些处方药在欧洲却为非处方药；有些药物在名称上存在差异；欧洲的有些药物比美国同类药物药效强许多，因此，用药要仔细遵照说明书和用量。另外，局部用药在欧洲很常见，如果你身体疼痛或肿胀，药剂师开了涂抹患处的药膏，你不必惊讶。要是你需要照方开药——哪怕是从国内带来的药方——药店一般也能很快帮你配好。药剂师无法处理时，他们会将你送到医生或诊所那里。

诊所

[10]其实到诊所看病是旅行中一种有趣的体验。每年我在欧洲都会因为各种原因要去趟诊所，而诊所的高效每次都会令我印象深刻。

House Calls

[12] If you’re holed up sick in your hotel room and would rather not go out,the hotel receptionist can generally call a doctor who will come to your room and check you out. This option is generally more expensive than dragging yourself to a pharmacy or clinic.

Finding Medical Help

[13] To locate a doctor, clinic, or hospital, ask around at places that are accustomed to dealing with Americans on the road13on the road在旅途中。—such as tourist offices and large hotels. Most embassies and consulates maintain lists of physicians and hospitals in major cities.

[14] If you’re concerned about getting an English-speaking and Westerntrained doctor, consider joining IAMAT,the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers. You’ll get a list of English-speaking doctors in more than 90 member countries who charge affordable, standardized fees for medical visits (membership is free but donation is requested, pay provider directly at time of visit). ■

[11]需要做非急诊检查、化验某些项目或遇到药剂师无法解决的情况时，诊所就大有用处了。欧洲的诊所和美国的运营方式相同：在接待员那里登记，回答几个问题，然后坐等护士或医生。

医生出诊

[12]如果在酒店房间病倒且不愿外出，酒店前台一般能帮你约一位可以上门看诊的医生。这种服务通常比自己去药店或诊所要贵。

寻求医疗帮助

[13]要想找医生、诊所或医院，在那些经常接待美国游客的地方打听即可——如游客咨询处和大型酒店。大多数使领馆都备有主要城市的医师和医院名录。

[14]要是想找一位会说英语的西医，可考虑加入国际旅行者医疗救助协会（IAMAT）。你会得到一份会说英语的医生名单，他们遍布90多个国家，收费公道且标准统一（会员免费但要求捐款，看病时直接付给医生即可）。 □