Getting Sick Abroad

You’ve planned out your trip, you’ll be away from home for a long time. No friends or family. What happens if you catch a cold or flu?

If you’re like me and you jump around hostels, the likelihood of you getting sick is very high. Looking after yourself while sick is never fun.

If you have the money I would recommend booking a hotel for a night or two, get room service and sleep as much as you can. A more budget friendly version is your own room in the hostel.

But if that’s not in your budget, and you must share a room with 5 others, here are some tips for you:

1) As soon as you notice a slight sore throat, unusual tiredness or anything that could indicate being unwell – go immediately to buy some cold and flu tablets, bottled water, and dry crackers. At the bare minimum.

2) Scope out how close you are to the bathrooms. If you are far away and may need to make a mad dash – it might pay to stay in the bathroom all night (or day). There are showers to keep you clean and the toilet close by. If you are really really sick, it might pay to stay in the shower and just use the drain in there.

3) Does your hostel have a kitchen? If yes, you can fill the fridge with coconut water, packet soups, fruit and anything else that will take no effort to prepare. If no, stick to dry food and bottled drinks that can get to room temperature without them going bad.

4) Are you friends with your roommates? If you are, let them know you’re not well. They might be kind to you – especially if you desperately need something from the downstairs kitchen. But also remember that they are not your parents and they are not there to be your nurse. If you are not friends with your roommates, try to move to a bed that is as private as possible, or think about putting up a jumper as a curtain if you’re on the lower bunk.

5) Breathe. Being sick in general is no fun. And being sick in a hostel is even less fun, but it will pass.