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There is no fear
of catching a strange or particular disease in Greece; therefore no
vaccines are required for travel. If you are coming from an infected
area you need to have a yellow fever vaccination certificate. However,
there are some recommended vaccinations to do before leaving your
country (recorded on an international health certificate) such as
tetanus & diphtheria, polio and hepatitis A & B.
You have to know that codeine, which is usuelly, found in headache
medicine, and is banned in Greece, so check the medication you're
taking with you carefully if you want to avoid prosecution.
It's better to obtain a certificate from your doctor for every medication
you carry with you into the country because strict regulations are
applied to the importation of medicines into Greece.
If you need a particular medication, better take it with you because
you might be unable to find it. If you wear glasses have a spare pair
and your prescription with you. |
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Although the food
products you'll find in Greece are of very high quality, care in what
you eat and drink.
In Athens, tap water is drinkable, but in some islands (especially
in the Cyclades) you can't drink it. Always ask local people to be
sure of the water.
If you drink infected water, you may have stomach upsets (most common
travel health problem) or diarrhoea, but nothing really serious.
The major factor to health problems in Greece
is the heat, especially if you are travelling there during the period
between June and September.
To avoid dehydration, always carry a water bottle with you and force
yourself to drink all the time, even if you don't feel thirsty.
Excessive sweating can lead to loss of salt (characterised by muscles
cramps, fatigue, lethargy and headaches) so think to salt your food
or caring salt tablets with you.
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Don't forget to drink plenty of liquids and try to avoid excessive
alcohol consummation.
Sunburn is another big danger in Greece where the sun is particularly
intensive.
Avoid lying under the sun between 1pm and 4pm, always use sunscreen,
especially if you have a white skin, wear a hat and good-quality
sunglasses.
Citizens of EU countries can benefit of free treatment in a public
hospital if you present an E111 form (ask your doctor or local hospital).
Emergency treatment is free for everybody in Greek public hospitals
but they are, unfortunately, often overcrowded.
Conditions are much better in private hospitals but they are quite
expensive.
A good health-insurance policy is essential.
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