Florida Medical Information
By James | Last updated May 10, 2024
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The United States does not operate a publicly funded National Health Service as experienced in Europe; therefore it is essential that you have adequate health insurance before travelling to Florida.
For minor ailments, the best place to go in the first instance is a local pharmacy (chemists) and talk to the pharmacist. They will be able to advise you and if necessary direct you to a local walk-in clinic or hospital.
For visitors from out of state, particularly from Europe, you need to be aware that Florida has its fair share of poisonous insects and snakes, not to mention alligators, crocodiles, bears and sharks. Rabies is also endemic in most counties in Florida. The chances of being bitten or attacked are remote as long as you use your common sense and do not attempt to handle, pick up or approach anything that you are not familiar with.
Florida Health Insurance
If you do not already have health insurance then it is important that you get appropriate health insurance cover before travelling to Florida. It is generally recommended that you get at least $1,000,000 unlimited cover; check this when taking out your travel insurance.
Florida Dental Treatment
Normally your health insurance should include dental care which is also expensive. If you are suffering with any teeth problems it makes sense to have a check-up before you travel to Florida.
Sun Protection
You really must protect yourself from the sun whilst in Florida particularly when you are on the beach or in the theme parks or water parks. A lot of the theme park rides have covered queue areas but it easy to stay out in the sun for too long such as when you are watching outdoor shows or parades. Drink plenty of fluids (most parks have cooled drinking fountains) and use high factor sun block creams.
Tap Water
The tap water is fine to drink but not very inspiring. Bottled water (both local and imported) is readily available in supermarkets. In restaurants, the waiter will often bring you a jug of iced tap water and as mentioned before, most theme parks have plenty of cooled water fountains (saves spending money on soda and cola drinks).
Spiders
You should also be aware that there are four species of venomous widow spiders occurring in Florida; the Southern Black Widow, the Northern Black Widow, the Red Widow and the Brown Widow. All these species are quite large spiders, about 1 1/2 inches (38 mm) long with the legs extended but are unlikely to bite unless disturbed. You should seek medical attention if you think you might have been bitten.
Snake Bites
There are 45 species of snake found in Florida, six of them are venomous; namely the Southern Copperhead, Cottonmouth, Eastern Coral Snake and three types of rattler – the Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake, Timber Rattlesnake and Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake. It is a common misconception that rattlesnakes always shake their tails before striking, the clever ones keep quiet and then strike!! Note that rattlesnakes can strike 2/3rds of their own body length so a six foot (1.8m) Diamondback can strike up to 4 (1.2m) feet away.
Pygmy rattlesnakes have even turned up in the garden departments of large DIY stores and plant nurseries.
Most snakes will flee if disturbed but do not pick one up even if it appears to be dead; snakes have been known to bite even after death through a convulsive contraction. It goes without saying that you should seek medical attention if you are bitten.
Shark Attacks
There are around 60 or so unprovoked shark attacks worldwide each year and typically over half of them occur off the coast of the United States.
In 2006 there were 38 attacks in America and over two thirds of these occurred off the Florida coastline though none were fatal.
The chances of being bitten by a shark are extremely rare but you should never the less take precautions and pay attention to any life guard warnings etc.
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