Visiting Poland is a great way to sightsee, relax or doing business. Should a medical emergency occur, here are some basic facts to help you cope with unforeseen events.

Treatment

Poland’s medical facilities are of an equivalent standard to those in other European countries. Private medical facilities are comparatively inexpensive and of a good standard.

Before the trip you may want to take the usual steps, such as preparing a record of any treatment you may be undergoing or medication you are receiving, and keeping this information with you. This will help you to react quickly in emergency situations.

This is also wise to review your health insurance policy and contact insurance provider to make sure that you are covered in Poland. Otherwise consider a purchase of additional insurance.

Prescribed medication can be purchased at pharmacy shops, marked APTEKA. Over-the-counter medications are available at pharmacy shops, supermarkets, convenience shops and news stands.

Emergency
In case of emergency you may call an ambulance, dialing 999 from land line, or 112 from a mobile phone.

Allergy advice

If you suffer from allergy, travel to unfamiliar places may be another reason for discomfort. In Poland, especially in spring and summer, pollen levels are monitored and often reported in the media alongside with weather forecasts.

In most places in Poland, grasses produce pollen at the beginning of June until mid-July. The highest concentration of grass pollen is normally found in suburban areas, lush with green open spaces and meadows during blossoming of particular plants and harvest time.

The highest concentration of grass pollen is registered in the early hours of the day, both in cities and in the surrounding areas. Pollen count is lower at night. Immediately after rainfalls the air is free from pollen. However, showers can also be difficult for allergy sufferers – moisture brings out the allergen hidden inside pollen particles. This gets into the lungs in the form of aerosol and can even cause breathlessness in people particularly sensitive to grass pollen.

According to medical reports, only people especially sensitive to grass pollen may occasionally experience allergy symptoms in the second half of July and in August. In August and September, concentration of airborne grass pollen drops down to medium levels.