Access to medical treatment for Covid in Italy

It's not something that's really talked about in Europe the way it is in the US. The only Covid I've even heard about is among some newly arrived visitors from the US in Europe coming down with light cases. On the other hand, If you are very ill and need to see a doctor, and if you have preexisting conditions that means Covid would endanger your life, then a doctor would make the decisions.

Because such a large percentage of the population was vaccinated and so many also had cases of Covid (myself included), I haven't known of anyone living here that has gotten Covid in a long time. We have been back to our normal activities, rarely masked, for the last year. Just enjoy your trip.

You have a greater risk in Ohio than you do in Italy
Wear a mask in your flight over

If you should get sick go to a farmacia or ask your hotel to call a tourist doctor

This may seem strange, but if it's a light case of Covid, why would anyone need to go to a pharmacy or see a doctor? I assume people carry Tylenol and antihistamine with them. They just have to stay in for a few days, get a supply of food or have meals delivered until the cold-like symptoms are gone. The two I heard of tested negative at five days.

I know that some miserable Covid was going around the US last winter because one of my sons and his family got it. Even the dog. Hopefully, no one will get anything like that over here. Double-mask in the airport and plane.

Edit: I did too Stan. If she's very ill, she needs to see a doctor for it.

I inferred that the OP was asking if Paxlovid was available and how she would get access to it over there.

You need to see a doctor to obtain prescription drugs. US Consulates maintain a list of recommended doctors who speak English, although most doctors speak English. Anti viral drugs are available in Italy but require a prescription just like in the US. If it’s a mild case go to a pharmacy and ask for a “tachipirina” (pron: Tacky pirina) basically acetaminophen (Tylenol).

In the past couple of weeks I have known of several people getting Covid, both locally and while travelling in Europe. There are also lots of folks with ‘colds’. Unless one is doing a Covid test a few times while sick, folks won’t know if it is Covid or a cold. A few have been quite sick, including one who is younger and healthy.

We are travelling to France next week and with one of us being high risk, we will be wearing masks and being careful. Our plan is to seek out medical care for Paxlovid if the high risk one of us gets Covid.

There is a new variant making the rounds. Apparently the existing vaccines still work against it and it similar to Omicron but more contagious. It has killed over 5 of the 130 known cases in the UK and when we heard about it last week we were told that there were nearly 70,000 cases in India, so it makes sense it would get to the UK.

I don't know what the rates are in Italy or France.. And since we no longer monitor or test in the UK we only know about the worst cases.

We were just in Italy and both tested positive (one in Palermo and one in Rome). Our symptoms were very mild - just minor cold symptoms. We would not have thought to test (but we were on a tour), let alone seek medical treatment, but everyone is different. I had packed cold meds, and that was useful (and effective) immediately. It also helped to bring the box to the pharmacy to ask for something similar - and they do have the combo cold meds (tylenol+cough suppressant+decongestant, etc). You do need to ask for them at the counter though.

We found hotel staff (in Palermo and in Rome) to be the best resource for everything from testing locations to food delivery. I am sure they could help with a doctor or clinic if needed. Don't hesitate to ask them!