Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Health
Travel in Iceland presents very few health problems. Tap water is safe to drink, the level of
hygiene is high and there are no endemic nasties. Specific travel vaccinations are not re-
quired.
Healthcare
The standard of healthcare is extremely high and English is widely spoken by doctors and
medical clinic staff. Note, however, that there are limited services outside of large urban
areas.
For minor ailments, pharmacists can dispense valuable advice and over-the-counter
medication (for pharmacies, look for signs for
apótek
). They can advise as to when more
specialised help is required. Medical care can be obtained by visiting a healthcare centre,
called
heilsugæslustöð
in Iceland. Centres in greater Reykjavík can be found at
www.heilsugaeslan.is
; in regional areas, ask at a tourist office or your accommodation for
advice on the closest healthcare centre.
Citizens of other Nordic countries need only present their passport to access healthcare.
Citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) are covered for emergency medical treat-
ment on presentation of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Apply online via your
government health department's website.
Citizens from other countries can obtain medical assistance but must pay in full (and later
be reimbursed by their insurance provider, if they have one). Purchasing travel insurance is
strongly advised. For more detailed information on healthcare for visitors, see
Hypothermia & Frostbite
The main health risks are caused by exposure to extreme climates; proper preparation will
reduce the risks. Even on a warm day in the mountains, the weather can change rapidly -
carry waterproof garments and warm layers, and inform others of your route.
Acute hypothermia follows a sudden drop of temperature over a short time. Chronic hy-
pothermia is caused by a gradual loss of temperature over hours. Hypothermia starts
with shivering, loss of judgement and clumsiness. Unless rewarming occurs, the sufferer
deteriorates into apathy, confusion and coma. Prevent further heat loss by seeking shel-
ter, wearing warm, dry clothing, drinking hot, sweet drinks and sharing body warmth.
Frostbite is caused by freezing and the subsequent damage to bodily extremities. It is de-
pendent on wind chill, temperature and the length of exposure. Frostbite starts as frostnip
