Medical Emergencies Abroad: Solo Women Guide

Updated for 2026 — Accurate as of February 2026.

In a hotel room in Marrakech, at 2 AM, I woke up with a pain in my abdomen so intense I could not stand straight. I was alone, I did not speak Arabic or French fluently, I had no idea where the nearest hospital was, and the pain was getting worse by the minute. What happened over the next six hours — navigating a foreign hospital system alone, communicating symptoms across a language barrier, making medical decisions without a partner or family member present — was the most frightening experience of my solo travel life. It was also the experience that taught me more about preparation and resilience than anything else.

The emergency turned out to be kidney stones — painful but not life-threatening. But the hours I spent in that hospital, alone, not understanding what was happening, not knowing if I was in good hands, fundamentally changed how I prepare for every trip. I left Marrakech with a system — documents, contacts, protocols, research — that I now carry on every trip and have never needed again. But knowing it is there lets me travel without fear.

This guide is everything I wish I had known before that night in Marrakech. It covers prevention, preparation, and the step-by-step protocols for handling medical emergencies abroad when you are on your own.

Pre-Trip Medical Preparation

The Medical Travel Kit

Your medical travel kit is not a first aid kit (though you should have that too). It is a document and information system that enables you or someone else to get you appropriate medical care anywhere in the world.

The Medical Travel Kit contains:

Document	Format	Where to Store
Medical summary	Paper + digital	In your bag + phone + cloud
Medication list with generic names	Paper + digital	In your bag + phone + cloud
Allergies and reactions	Paper (laminated) + digital	In your wallet + phone
Blood type	Paper (on medical card) + digital	In your wallet + phone
Insurance policy with claim number	Paper + digital	In your bag + phone + cloud
Insurance emergency phone number	Paper + phone	In your wallet + phone contacts
Emergency contacts (2-3 people)	Paper + phone	In your wallet + phone
Doctor’s letter for medications	Paper	In your bag with medications
Copy of prescriptions	Paper + digital	In your bag + cloud
Vaccination record	Paper + digital	In your bag + phone

The ICE system: Set up an ICE (In Case of Emergency) entry in your phone that is accessible from the lock screen. On iPhone, this is in the Health app under Medical ID. On Android, this is in Settings under Safety & Emergency. Include your name, blood type, allergies, medications, emergency contacts, and insurance information.

This is critical because if you are incapacitated — unconscious, incoherent, or unable to communicate — first responders and hospital staff will check your phone’s ICE information first.

Medications: Preparation and Legality

Carry medications correctly:

• Always in original pharmacy containers with labels
• Carry a doctor’s letter listing each medication, its purpose, and the dose
• Bring at least double the supply you need (in case of travel delays)
• Split medications between your carry-on and checked bag (if you check a bag)
• Research whether your medications are controlled substances in your destination

Medications that are controlled or restricted in some countries:

Medication Type	Countries with Restrictions	What to Do
Stimulants (Adderall, Ritalin)	Japan, UAE, Indonesia, many others	Carry doctor’s letter + embassy pre-approval
Codeine-containing medications	UAE, India, Indonesia, Japan	Often available OTC at home but restricted abroad
Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium)	UAE, Japan, Indonesia	Doctor’s letter essential; some countries require import permit
Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)	Mexico, Japan	Restricted quantities
CBD products	Most of Asia, Middle East, Russia	Treated as cannabis in many jurisdictions

If your medication is restricted: Contact the embassy of your destination country before travel to confirm legality and obtain any required permits.

Vaccinations and Preventive Health

Schedule a travel medicine consultation 6-8 weeks before departure. The CDC Travelers’ Health portal provides destination-specific health notices, recommended vaccinations, and disease outbreak alerts. A travel medicine doctor will assess destination-specific risks and recommend vaccinations, prophylactic medications, and health precautions.

Common travel vaccinations:

Vaccine	Recommended For	Timeline
Hepatitis A	Asia, Africa, Central/South America	2-4 weeks before travel
Hepatitis B	Most international destinations	6 months for full series
Typhoid	South Asia, Africa, Central America	2 weeks before travel
Yellow Fever	Sub-Saharan Africa, South America	10 days before travel (certificate required for some countries)
Japanese Encephalitis	Rural Asia, especially during monsoon	1 month before travel
Rabies (pre-exposure)	Remote areas, animal contact likely	3 doses over 3-4 weeks
Malaria prophylaxis	Sub-Saharan Africa, South/Southeast Asia, Central America	Varies by medication

Emergency Numbers by Region

Save these in your phone before departure:

Region/Country	Emergency Number	Notes
Europe (EU)	112	Universal, works from any phone
UK	999 (or 112)	Both work
USA	911
Canada	911
Australia	000
Japan	119 (ambulance), 110 (police)
South Korea	119
Thailand	1669 (ambulance)	Tourist police: 1155
India	112	Unified emergency number since 2018
Mexico	911
Brazil	192 (ambulance)
South Africa	10177 (ambulance)

Important: In many countries, 112 works even if it is not the official emergency number, as it routes through the GSM network to the local emergency service.

When an Emergency Happens: Step-by-Step Protocol

Step 1: Assess the Situation (30 seconds)

Before acting, take 30 seconds to assess:

• Is this immediately life-threatening? (Chest pain, severe bleeding, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, severe allergic reaction) If yes, call the local emergency number immediately.
• Is this urgent but not life-threatening? (Broken bone, deep cut requiring stitches, severe pain, high fever) If yes, go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
• Is this non-urgent? (Minor cut, mild food poisoning, cold/flu, minor injury) If yes, find a local clinic or pharmacy.

Step 2: Call for Help (1-5 minutes)

If life-threatening: Call the local emergency number. Speak slowly and clearly. Give your location (hotel name and address, street address, or GPS coordinates). Describe the emergency: “I need an ambulance. I am at [location]. I am having [symptom].”

If you do not speak the local language:

• Most 112/911 operators speak English in major tourist destinations
• Google Translate can translate in real time — use the conversation mode
• Your hotel reception can call on your behalf and translate
• Hand your phone to any nearby person and ask them to call and translate

If urgent but not life-threatening: Call your travel insurance emergency line. They will direct you to the nearest approved hospital, arrange translation services if needed, and begin the claims process. This number should be in your phone contacts and on a card in your wallet.

Step 3: Get to Medical Care

Options for getting to a hospital:

Option	When to Use	How
Ambulance	Life-threatening, cannot move safely	Call emergency number
Taxi/ride-share	Urgent, can walk to vehicle	Uber/Bolt/local app — type “hospital” into destination
Hotel transport	Hotel is close, concierge available	Ask reception to arrange
Walk	Minor urgency, hospital is close	Google Maps walking directions

At the hospital:

1. Present your passport and insurance card/information at reception
2. Present your medical summary and medication list
3. If language is a barrier, show your medical documents (having them in the local language, prepared before your trip, is invaluable)
4. Call your travel insurance emergency line and put the hospital staff in contact with them directly
5. Call your emergency contact at home and update them

Step 4: During Treatment

Your rights as a patient abroad:

• You have the right to understand your diagnosis and treatment plan (request a translator)
• You have the right to refuse treatment
• You have the right to contact your embassy
• You have the right to see your medical records

Practical during-treatment steps:

• Ask for everything in writing (diagnosis, treatment, medications prescribed)
• Take photos of all documents, bills, and medication packaging
• Keep every receipt — insurance claims require documentation
• If surgery or major treatment is recommended, call your insurance for a second opinion unless it is a life-threatening emergency
• Update your emergency contact regularly

Step 5: After Treatment

Insurance claims:

1. Call your insurance provider within 24 hours (most require timely notification)
2. Gather all documentation: hospital bills, receipts, medical reports, prescription records, pharmacy receipts
3. Get a written medical report from the treating physician
4. File the claim following your insurer’s specific process (most offer online filing)
5. Keep copies of everything — do not send originals unless required

Recovery while traveling:

• Adjust your itinerary. Cancel non-essential plans. Rest.
• If you were prescribed medications, verify you can travel with them (especially across borders)
• Consider whether you should continue your trip or return home — your insurance emergency line can help you make this decision
• Schedule a follow-up with your home doctor when you return

Healthcare Quality by Region

Where to Expect What

Region	Public Hospital Quality	Private Hospital Quality	English Availability	Cost Without Insurance
Western Europe	Excellent	Excellent	Good in most	Moderate-expensive (some free under reciprocal agreements)
Japan/South Korea/Singapore	Excellent	Excellent	Moderate-good	Moderate-expensive
Thailand	Good	Excellent (Bangkok)	Good in private hospitals	Very affordable
Eastern Europe	Variable	Good in capitals	Limited	Very affordable
Mexico	Variable	Good-excellent in private hospitals	Good in private hospitals	Affordable
India	Variable	Good-excellent in private hospitals	Good	Very affordable
Sub-Saharan Africa	Limited in many areas	Good in major cities	Varies	Varies
Middle East (UAE, Qatar)	Good	Excellent	Excellent	Expensive

Hospitals Known for Treating International Patients

In major tourist destinations, specific hospitals are experienced with international patients and offer English-speaking staff, international insurance processing, and Western-standard care:

Bangkok: Bumrungrad International Hospital — arguably the best international hospital in Asia. English-speaking staff, accredited by Joint Commission International, insurance direct billing.

Singapore: Mount Elizabeth Hospital — premier private hospital, multilingual staff, extensive specialist departments.

Istanbul: American Hospital — English-speaking, international insurance accepted, high-quality care.

Mexico City: Hospital ABC — American British Cowdray Hospital, accredited by Joint Commission International, English-speaking staff.

Dubai: Mediclinic City Hospital — international standard, English as primary language, insurance direct billing.

Specific Emergency Scenarios

Food Poisoning

The most common medical issue for travelers. Most cases resolve in 24-48 hours with rest and hydration.

Self-treat when:

• Symptoms are diarrhea and/or vomiting without fever
• You can keep fluids down
• Symptoms began within the last 12 hours

Seek medical care when:

• High fever (above 101.3F/38.5C)
• Bloody diarrhea
• Inability to keep any fluids down for more than 6 hours
• Severe abdominal pain
• Symptoms last more than 48 hours
• You are in a remote area with limited access to clean water

Self-treatment protocol:

• Oral rehydration salts (ORS) — carry packets in your first aid kit, or make your own: 1 liter clean water + 6 teaspoons sugar + 0.5 teaspoons salt
• Imodium (loperamide) for diarrhea — use only for symptom management, not a cure
• Rest and sip fluids continuously
• Avoid dairy, caffeine, alcohol, and heavy food for 24 hours after symptoms resolve

Allergic Reactions

If you have known severe allergies, carry an EpiPen (epinephrine auto-injector) and wear medical alert identification.

For mild allergic reactions (hives, itching, minor swelling): Take antihistamines (Benadryl/diphenhydramine). Monitor for worsening.

For severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis): Administer EpiPen immediately. Call emergency services. Lie down with legs elevated. A second EpiPen dose may be needed after 5-15 minutes if symptoms do not improve.

Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies abroad are common and often not covered by standard travel insurance (check your policy).

Temporary relief:

• Ibuprofen for pain
• Clove oil on the affected area (natural anesthetic, available at most pharmacies)
• For a lost filling: temporary filling material (available at pharmacies, brand name: Dentemp)
• Avoid extremely hot or cold food and drinks

Seek dental care for: Severe pain unresponsive to painkillers, visible infection (swelling, pus), knocked-out tooth (bring the tooth in milk to a dentist within 30 minutes for possible reimplantation), broken tooth with sharp edges cutting your mouth.

Mental Health Crises

Mental health emergencies are medical emergencies. If you experience a panic attack, severe anxiety episode, depressive crisis, or suicidal thoughts while abroad:

1. Call your home therapist if you have one (telehealth across borders works)
2. Contact Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741 from the US) or your country’s equivalent
3. Call the International Association for Suicide Prevention crisis centers directory for local support
4. Go to the nearest emergency room — mental health is a valid reason for emergency care
5. Contact your embassy — they can assist with mental health resources in-country

Building Your Emergency Protocol Card

Create a laminated card that lives in your wallet alongside your ID:

Front of card:

MEDICAL EMERGENCY CARD
Name: [Your name]
DOB: [Date of birth]
Blood Type: [Your blood type]
Allergies: [List allergies — NONE if none]
Medications: [List current medications]
Conditions: [List medical conditions — NONE if none]

Back of card:

EMERGENCY CONTACTS
1. [Name] [Phone with country code] [Relationship]
2. [Name] [Phone with country code] [Relationship]
INSURANCE: [Company] Policy #[Number]
Emergency Line: [Phone number]
EMBASSY: [Your country's embassy phone for current destination]

This card has one purpose: if you are unable to speak for yourself, it speaks for you. It tells medical professionals what they need to know to treat you safely, and it tells them who to call.

The truth about medical emergencies abroad is that they are rare, they are usually manageable, and they are almost always less catastrophic than the fear of them. But that fear — the fear that stops women from traveling alone — is best conquered not by ignoring it but by preparing for it. When you know you have the documents, the contacts, the insurance, and the protocols, the fear loses its power. And what remains is the freedom to go anywhere, knowing you can handle whatever happens.

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