Illnesses on the camino; It cools my jets. You?

[MARSKA]

I have walked the CF from SJPDP to SDC twice (2023 & 2024). I stayed mostly in municipal albergues. Both times I became ill with respiratory infection about 2 weeks into the walk. I'm a nurse, so I well know how to modify my behavior to minimize the chance of contagious infection, however I was unsuccessful in preventing my own illnesses. And it is not pleasant to be alone and ill anywhere - esp in a country not your own.

Despite the occasional inconveniences I like staying in muni's. It is almost essential (to me) to the experience. But when I walk in 2025 I might need to rethink this - has anyone else dealt with this problem? How did it work out for you?

 

[dick bird]

If you are ill, see a doctor. I don´t know how many times I have said this but I am happy to say it again - the Spanish health system is very good and I know this from first hand experience (twice). The only issue there is that small villages do not have full time doctors but even medium size towns do. Pharmacists are also very good and easier to access. If you think you have a contagious disease then you should stay in private accommodation, obviously. For me, the most common problem was gastro, whether viral or bacterial I have no idea but because of that I always take my own supply of hand disinfectant. Having a walking companion or a camino family will also be a support if you get unwell, but don´t be afraid to ask local people to help - their instinct will almost certainly be to say yes.