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Emergency Services
If you are in urgent need of medical attention at the weekend
or during the night then you can report to the "Ambulanz" or "Notaufnahme" ward
(Accident and Emergency) in hospitals or call a doctor. The
addresses and telephone numbers of doctors can be found in
the local newspapers under "Notdienst" or "Ärztlicher
Notdienst", or in the telephone directory.
The emergency numbers in Germany are 110 (Police) and 112
(Fire Brigade).
Doctors
In Germany there are numerous types of doctors, from GP’s
("Allgemeinmediziner") to specialists ("Fachärzte")
such as eye specialists, dermatologists, etc. Most people
have a GP as their "family doctor" ("Hausarzt").
This doctor can transfer people to specialists if necessary.
In certain cases you can visit a specialist without consulting
your family doctor first. Doctors have specific visiting
hours when patients can seek advice. It is always recommendable
to make an appointment as waiting times can be long. If a
doctor is needed urgently, it is not necessary to make an
appointment. The names and addresses of doctors can be found
in the local telephone directory. The Yellow Pages ("Gelbe
Seiten") list specialists.
Since the 1st of January 2004 you now have to pay – if
you are insured with a public health insurer – a practice
fee of ten euros each time you visit your doctor for the
first time within each yearly quarter. This is regardless
of whether you are visiting your general practitioner, a
specialist doctor or a psychotherapist. You do not have to
pay a fee if you have been referred by another doctor.
Pharmacies
In Germany medicines can only be bought at pharmacies ("Apotheken").
Most medicines require a prescription from a doctor. The
prescription drugs needed are written down on a prescription
("Rezept") by the doctor and taken to the pharmacy.
The prescription is taken to the pharmacy by the patient
and the pharmacist issues the medicines. A nominal fee is
paid for each drug depending on the cost of each medicine.
Some painkillers, such as headache tablets, are available
at pharmacies without a prescription.
Private patients must pay
the full price of the medicines
and then claim this money
back from their insurer.
There is always at least
one pharmacy open in every
area day and night. This
is called the "Notdienst".
In rural communities people
may have to travel to the
nearest village or town.
The addresses of the pharmacies
that are open on specific
days are listed in local
newspapers under "Apotheken-Notdienst".
All pharmacies always have
a sign to tell customers
which pharmacy is open on
which day.
FAQs:
Q: Does my insurance pay medication for chronical
deseases?
A: No, you will have to pay for those medication, but your
insurance at home may reimburse the costs.
Q: Do I need special vaccination for Germany?
A: There is no vaccination obligatory for entering Germany,
but we do recommend you the following vaccination: Diphtheria
and Tetanus
For more information please
visit the website: www.fit-for-travel.de
Q: Are there special heath risks?
A: We recommend you to be alert for the following health
risks:
Borreliosis:
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Risk
of infection :
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throughout the
country |
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Vector:
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ticks (especially in grass,
woods, forests and bushes) |
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Increased risk
of transmission:
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from April through October |
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Protection:
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Tick protection through
skin-covering clothes; use of insect repellents
(creams, lotions, sprays). Search you body
for ticks and consult a doctor if you find
a tick on your body. Be very careful while
removing the tick or let the doctor do
so. If you get infected you might have
to take antibiotics.
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Rabies:
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Risk
of infection :
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throughout the
country |
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Vector:
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durch Biss von streunenden
Tieren |
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Increased risk
of transmission:
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from January through December |
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Protection:
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Keep away from stray animals
(especially dogs and cats). If you get
bitten consult a doctor.
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