Health Insurance For Travelers
Coverage in Ecuador will depend on the type of insurance that you
have. Therefore ask about pertinent details from your insurance carrier.
It is a good idea to always carry a copy of the policy with you in
case the original is lost. You should also keep copies of receipts
when you use the insurance.
In general, if you need hospitalization, the traveler
will have to pay the hospital and then later be reimbursed by the
insurance company. In most hospitals and clinics, credit cards are
accepted.
Medical Attention in
Ecuador: Doctors, Hospitals & Pharmacies
In Ecuador there are many quality hospitals and clinics where the
traveler can be treated if there is some emergency while in the country.
In the case that some type of medication is needed, the traveler can
obtain this at any pharmacy. The largest chain of pharmacies in Quito
and in the country is Fybeca. Throughout the city, small and large
pharmacies can be found. But remember that if you generally take some
specific medication in your home country, this type of medication
may not exist in Ecuador so you should make sure to bring a large
enough supply of the product to last you during your stay.
It is also recommendable to know generic names of certain medications.
Altitude or Mountain Sickness
Quito and the rest of the Ecuadorian Andes lie above 9000 feet. Therefore
altitude sickness is a real possibility. To prevent this malady, characterized
by pounding headache and nausea and, in the most severe cases, coughing
blood and death, make sure you acclimatize slowly to the altitude.
The first few days at altitude you should not exert yourself, drink
plenty of fluids and avoid alcohol and tobacco. If you have a heart
condition, please check with your doctor for further restrictions.
Necessary Vaccinations
For traveling to Ecuador, you should be vaccinated for some diseases
found in the country that you could be exposed to. This is for prevention
but it is not a rule. This should be done under the indication of
your doctor. It is recommended that the traveler consult with a doctor
about this at least 6 months prior to travel.
The vaccinations necessary in Ecuador are against cholera (this vaccine
is not very effective in its level of protection and can cause certain
secondary effects). However, the diphtheria/tetanus vaccine is highly
recommended for everyone. The first session consists of three vaccines
and then you only need a booster every 10 years.
There is a very good vaccine against hepatitis A that lasts about
10 years. If the traveler is planning on visiting the Amazon region
especially he should be vaccinated for hepatitis B. The polio vaccine
that is generally administered in childhood is highly recommended
as well as the vaccine for yellow fever. In spite of the fact that
rabies is not common in Ecuador, it is preferable that you are vaccinated
against it. The vaccine against typhoid is generally required for
all of South America, above all if the trip is going to be a long
one.
Food and Water
The most important thing to remember is to be careful with water and
ice. In Ecuador, you cannot drink water directly from the tap because
it is not purified. To drink bacteria free and safe water you should
boil it or buy bottles of purified water that you can find in any
store in the country.
In the same manner if you are going to drink juice, you should be
sure that it is made with pure or boiled water, especially if water
is added after the juice is already made.
In regards to food, you can enjoy the delicious typical meals from
the country as well as international foods in different restaurants.
The Ecuadorian dishes, the ingredients and condiments
tend to be very different from those in your home country, so enjoy
them with caution. Eat small portions and observe how your organism
reacts to the new product. Many food intoxications are caused by not
giving yourself the necessary time to get used to the new food.
Use common sense, the cleaner the places, the more trustworthy they
are and if you aren't sure, ask someone from the city or neighborhood
about the quality of service of a specific place. If you are going
to eat fruits or vegetables, you should wash them well with purified
water in order to avoid problems later.
