Getting sick is always unpleasant, especially during the holidays – even more so. Unfortunately, no one is immune to this. Therefore, we explain how to get medical help in Latvia on days when the whole country is celebrating and having fun.
If You Feel Unwell
If you or your loved ones feel unwell – fever, digestive disorders, or in case of exacerbation of chronic diseases – and you cannot contact your family doctor, the first step is to call the Family Doctors' Consultation Hotline at 66016001.
The specialists will assess whether it is necessary to urgently go to the hospital or call a doctor at home. Or if home treatment is sufficient; in this case, they will advise on how to act to improve the condition.
If You Are Feeling Ill
During the holidays, it is also possible to seek help from a duty doctor (though this applies only to major cities in Latvia).
They provide the same services as family doctors, and consultations can be obtained in person.
Current information about the duty doctors' schedules and locations can be found on the National Health Service website vmnvd.gov.lv in the section “Kur saņemt medicīnisko palīdzību?” (“Where to Get Medical Help?”).
If You Have an Injury or Acute Situation
In cases of injuries, burns, sudden deterioration of health, or other acute situations, help can be obtained at the nearest emergency medical care point or the emergency department of the nearest hospital. However, before going there, it is advisable to call and discuss the situation to ensure that they can provide the necessary assistance for the specific situation.
This is important because many hospitals have specific specializations: for example, one clinic may be able to assist in case of a bone fracture or if stitches need to be applied to a wound, while another may specialize in burns, etc.
Important Note: This refers to cases where urgent medical assistance is required, but the patient's condition is not life-threatening. It is also important to remember that such assistance is in no way an alternative to planned medical care. And that emergency departments do not provide state-funded medical assistance in cases that do not require urgent intervention and planned care.
If a Person Has:
- severe bleeding;
- serious injury (traffic accident, electric shock, fire, etc.);
- sudden chest pain (which may indicate a heart attack);
- sudden weakness on one side of the body (which may indicate a stroke);
- loss of consciousness;
or in any other situation where a person's life is clearly at risk and every minute counts for their rescue, you should IMMEDIATELY call 113 (emergency medical service) or 112 (single emergency number).
Nuances of Self-Treatment
Be sure to check your home first aid kit before the holidays and ensure that it contains at least all the essentials for first aid: a working thermometer, antipyretics, anti-nausea and anti-diarrheal medications, antihistamines, burn ointment, blood pressure medication, of course – "green stuff" and iodine, a tourniquet, etc., as well as any medications you regularly take.
If You Need to Visit a Loved One in the Hospital...
Please note: in December, the rules for visiting patients in hospitals have been tightened due to the flu epidemic!
In the first decade of December, the Center for Disease Prevention and Control announced that an influenza epidemic had begun in Latvia. In this regard, medical professionals urge residents to follow traditional preventive measures – wash hands thoroughly and frequently with soap, especially when visiting public places, avoid crowded places, spend more time outdoors, eat healthy food and vitamins, etc.
And in case any symptoms of illness arise (high fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, headache, muscle pain, etc.) – do not, under any circumstances, try to endure the illness on your feet; ideally, isolate yourself from others as much as possible to avoid putting your family members, loved ones, colleagues, etc., at risk of infection.
Restrictions Due to the Epidemic
Due to the declared epidemic, a number of restrictions have been introduced in hospitals, particularly concerning visiting patients. Thus, in the Eastern Hospital during this period:
- only visits to severely or critically ill patients are allowed, and only with the permission of the attending physician or head of the department and with strict adherence to epidemiological safety measures;
- entering wards in outer clothing is prohibited;
- while in the hospital, it is necessary to wear a protective mask;
- visiting patients is prohibited if the visitor has any symptoms of ARVI – cough, runny nose, fever, etc.
Due to the restrictions on visiting loved ones in the hospital, you can take the opportunity to simply pass a package with necessary items to the patient: clothing, shoes, glasses, hygiene products, books and periodicals, food suitable for the patient's health condition, technical devices (mobile phone, computer, tablet, headphones, charger, etc.).
If the patient was taking any medications prescribed by a doctor before hospitalization (for example, due to chronic diseases), and their intake needs to continue during their stay in the hospital, these medications can also be passed to the patient; however, their intake in the hospital must be coordinated with the attending or duty doctor.
The reception and delivery of packages intended for the patient are organized by the staff of the relevant department of the Eastern Hospital where the patient is being treated.
