Health

Holidays by Destination Europe Greece General Health 

Officially British and EU nationals should receive free medical care if they have a completed E111 form, however, this only covers the lowest level of state hospital and not nursing care or the cost of medication. Private treatments costs a minimum of dr8,000 for a short consultation so, as usual, insurance is wise. State-run hospitals doe run out patient clinics, also found in some country locations, operating 8am to noon on a first come first served basis.

Bigger towns and resorts will have English speaking doctors though for simpler problems the pharmacy (farmakio) will probably be enough as the pharmacists are highly trained and dispense some drugs which in the UK are only available on prescription.

Homeopathic and herbal remedies are popular the first identifiable by a green cross though these are unlikely to be found on smaller islands.

In clean water sea creatures breed happily and that includes jellyfish and sea urchins. The locals have over-the-counter remedies in pharmacies for the first, or baking soda or ammonia help. They are especially common in late summer. Urchin spikes should be extracted or they can fester.

There are rare weever fish which bury themselves in tidal sand with just spines protruding. The venom is potent and could paralyse permanently the affected area. Treatment involves immersing the foot as soon as possible in hot as hot as can be borne. Stingrays and skates again found in bays with sandy bottoms. Moray eels which can bite are generally found in deeper water.

Sandflies on beaches can spread leishmaniasis though the problem is more of an issue if you are sleeping on the beach.

Adders and scorpions are shy but it is best to watch out for them in dry stone walls and it is best to check shoes before putting them on.

Hayfever season is at its height April to June, fuelled by all the wild flowers the Greek spring is so well known for.