No vaccinations are required to visit Romania, but hepatitis A, polio and typhoid boosters would be wise if you're planning to stay in remote areas where cooking and sanitation are sometimes none too hygienic. There's a reciprocal health agreement between Romania and Western countries (including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand) so emergency treatment (excluding drugs) is free. Don't forget to take out travel insurance in case of serious illness or accident. Keep all receipts so you can reclaim the money later
Specific hazards
Beyond an occasional headache from traffic fumes, Romania's pollution and other environmental problems are unlikely to have much effect on any short-term visitor.
Diarrhoea
can be a problem, so stock up with Lomotil before you leave (remember...
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HIV and AIDS
AIDS
(SIDA) was first identified in Romania in 1984, but the government refused to admit its existence until 1987, and took no effective measures to control the reuse of hypodermic needles before the revolution. In 1990 there were officially 1000...
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Pharmacies, doctors and hospitals
In case of minor complaints, go to a
pharmacy
(
farmacie
), where the staff are usually well trained and have the authority to prescribe drugs, and - in the big towns at least - may understand English, French or German. In theory,...
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Spas
Spa holidays
are much favoured by Romanians, following the Hapsburg tradition, and the country boasts one third of all Europe's mineral springs, and 160 spa resorts (
baile
). The theory is that you stay in a resort for about eighteen...
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