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visiting and sick in paris

i have been in paris a few weeks and staying a few weeks longer but i've had a sore throat almost since i've been here. i think it could be my tonsils. i don't know if i should go to the hospital, but is there something like the clinics we have in the usa? where should i go to get some antibiotics here in europe?

Posted by
8934 posts

The US Embassy in Paris will have a list of Drs. or hospitals that you can go to and be checked out. The list should be online.

Purchasing and taking anti-biotics without knowing what you have is never a good idea.

Posted by
283 posts

Look up your medical insurance web site. I was able to pull a list of doctors last year who speak English and will accept my health care. Also, RS provides information about English speaking pharmacies and the American Hospital in Paris. All would be good choices.

Posted by
83 posts

There are medical clinics in almost every neighborhood. You can just show up there without an appointment, and they will probably have a doctor available right away. It costs about 27 euros, I believe. Or, maybe easier, you can go to a pharmacy and describe your symptoms. Often there will be a doctor on duty there who can prescribe the appropriate rxs. And the pharmacists are also trained to diagnose. Don't be shocked if you are given a suppository for your sore throat! It does work, honest.

Posted by
199 posts

Doug, I worked in a medical office for 15 years. We had an elderly women who actually ate her suppository(sp). She said it tasted waxy.

Posted by
63 posts

I had a minor medical problem where I needed an English speaking foot doctor in Paris. I called the US Embassy, they referred me to the American Hospital, they referred me to a local pharmacy, they referred me to a doctor up the street that spoke English. I met with him, very nice, he called the foot doctor and set up the appointment that same day. Foot doctor did not speak English, but fixed the problem. Cost-100 euros for the first doctor, 48 euros for the foot doctor. Try the pharmacy first. Think of it as another wonderful way to experience the culture.