Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
68
minorities, very few restaurants cater to
those with religious dietary restrictions.
RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES
Tubercu-
losis, virtually wiped out by Soviet health
campaigns, has resurfaced in recent years,
largely among prison populations. The
disease is treatable but some strains have
grown resistant to standard medicines.
Another respiratory challenge is air qual-
ity, which is dismal in most Russian cities.
Fuel emissions are restricted but the
restrictions are barely enforced.
EXTREME WEATHER EXPOSURE
Though Russia is no doubt a cold place,
most travelers do not spend enough time
outdoors in the winter to risk hypother-
mia or its milder cousin, frostbite. Visitors
engaging in a lot of outdoor winter activ-
ity should carry many layers of clothing
and thermoses of warm liquid.
Russian helper or hotel concierge. You will
pay as you go no matter where you seek
help, and prices can vary from a few dollars
in a public clinic for emergency care to
hundreds of dollars in a private one. For-
eigners are sometimes charged more just
because they are assumed to have more
money than Russians.
For travel abroad, you may have to pay
all medical costs upfront and be reim-
bursed later. Medicare and Medicaid do
not provide coverage for medical costs
outside the U.S. Before leaving home, find
out what medical services your health
insurance covers. To protect yourself, con-
sider buying medical travel insurance (see
“Medical Insurance” under “Travel Insur-
ance,” in chapter 18).
Very few health insurance plans pay for
medical evacuation back to the U.S. (which
can cost $10,000 and up). A number of
companies offer medical evacuation services
anywhere in the world. If you're ever hospi-
talized more than 150 miles from home,
MedjetAssist
(
&
800/527-7478;
www.
medjetassistance.com) will pick you up and
fly you to the hospital of your choice virtu-
ally anywhere in the world in a medically
equipped and staffed aircraft 24 hours day,
7 days a week. Annual memberships are
$225 individual, $350 family; you can also
purchase short-term memberships.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET
SICK AWAY FROM HOME
Any foreign consulate can provide you with
a list of area doctors who speak English. If
you get sick, consider asking your hotel
concierge to recommend a local doctor—
even his or her own. You can also try the
emergency room at a local hospital. Finding
doctors or all-night pharmacies can be hard
in Moscow and St. Petersburg if you know
no Russian, and is much easier with a
3
Avoiding “Economy Class Syndrome”
Deep vein thrombosis,
or as it's know in the world of flying, “economy-class syn-
drome,” is a blood clot that develops in a deep vein. It's a potentially deadly condition
that can be caused by sitting in cramped conditions—such as an airplane cabin—
for too long. During a flight (especially a long-haul flight), get up, walk around, and
stretch your legs every 60 to 90 minutes to keep your blood flowing. Other preventa-
tive measures include frequent flexing of the legs while sitting, drinking lots of water,
and avoiding alcohol and sleeping pills. If you have a history of deep vein thrombo-
sis, heart disease, or another condition that puts you at high risk, some experts rec-
ommend wearing compression stockings or taking anticoagulants when you fly;
always ask your physician about the best course for you. Symptoms of deep vein
thrombosis include leg pain or swelling, or even shortness of breath.
