AnthonyGA

The standard of medical care available in Paris is excellent.

You can dial 15 for medical emergencies from a normal phone; from a cellphone, dial 112. Good hotels can also get you a doctor who will make a house call (still easy to find in France) directly to the hotel. SOS Médecins will send a doctor to you if you need one; dial 01.47.07.77.77. You can also try Urgences médicales de Paris, at 01.53.94.94.94. The number for firefighters and paramedics is 18.

There are multiple pharmacies open 24 hours a day in Paris. Your hotel should know where the nearest one is.

If you're unfortunate enough to need a trip to the ER, French hospitals are excellent, although the staff may not speak much English. If you have time to make a choice, the American Hospital in Neuilly, on the northwest side of Paris, is English-speaking and also happens to be the only JCAHO-accredited hospital outside the U.S. The American Hospital is where many English-speaking expats go. It's more expensive than public hospitals but cheaper than U.S. hospitals (often much cheaper). If you are sick, the ability to communicate easily in English with the healthcare professionals around you can make a big difference, especially psychologically.

ReddVelvet

Thanks to all for all the wonderful information. Yes I do love to travel but have not had a problem so far... but I usually travel in the summer or if it is winter here in Vancouver I go to a hot spot like Mexico. Have yet to travel in the cold. Robin4 I have had an asthma test. My astma/wheezing is a direct result of my chronic sinusitis. Otherwise I don't get it except for 2x a year should i catch a cold. But I will take you up on your suggestion to see a specialist. Traveling with the fear of getting sick is no fun. What meds are you taking ?

Robin4

I take theophylline and advair. I also carry Proventil for extreme cases. If you have asthmatic episodes then I can see that you would use it only at certain times. Advair is a powerful drug that is meant to be used on a regular basis. It can be harmful to your heart if used sporadically. Nina's suggestion of a flu shot is a must. You should also drink a lot of water when you are suffering, it not only cleans your lungs, it provides you with oxygen.

ReddVelvet

Have never heard of Theophylline or Proventil. I have Ventolin for emergency and I have Advair. and the doc. just gave me Symbicourt to try. He says its way better and faster acting than advair. Do you use advair diskus? I also noticed when I was working out and doing hot yoga it seemed to make a difference. I may have to go back to that regime.

Robin4

Yes, I have Advair disk. I hesitate to give any medicinal advice. It is up to a knowledgeable doctor to give you the right information. I say a knowledgeable doctor because I had my family doctor for years giving me hit or miss advice. It was until after I moved and I had to search for a new family doctor that I made it a point to find a specialist in asthma. Once I changed my medicine the quality of my life changed drastically.