I have no idea how paramedics are trained here. In Ontario, Canada, you can call an ambulance for a very high fever or a nurse to figure out if they should take you in. I've had a weird oscilating fever all day- going up and down 37.2 to 39.8, and I'm wondering at what point i can just call an ambulance. I live alone and when the fever goes up, I have too much vertigo to walk, let alone get on a tram. Can I just call 144 if it goes over 40° or 41°?

I acknowledge I'm probably worrying a bit, I'm just not sure what to do if I feel any worse.

40° is the benchmark I use as to when to take my children to the doctors.

A fever is the bodies way of fighting a sickness or infection. Normally you don't have fever without an underlying condition.

You should try to identify this, and if able alone, take medication as remedial action.

Do you have a house doctor who you can call for advice, and who could possibly make a home visit? (explain about the dizziness and inability to travel)

Drink plenty of fluids - especially vitamin C, try to cool your core temperature, without going too much, too quickly to the other extreme, and consider taking a general pain killer.

Disclaimer: I have no medical training, other than practical experience with sick family members.

Just sent you a PM

How are you feeling this morning?

Hope all is better.

When I couldn't get to the surgery, I called for a home visit. The doctor called the ambulance.

Sustained 40°+ is the usual point at which the medical profession start taking things seriously.

In Lausanne we can call the Centrale des médecins, where a nurse answers your questions. Depending on the situation she connects you to the on duty doctor, or gives you health advice or tells you to go to hospital.

In Lausanne, you have to call 0848 133 133

Ambulances are expensive.

Tom

Call your nearest Pharmacy, they can bring you the medicines! Don't go anywhere alone.

If a doctor calls an ambulance you only pay half - the allgemeine KK doesn't pay ambulances, and they are very expensive. Kloten-Spital Bülach (11kms) ca CHF1000.

A similar Centre exists in Zürich:
Aerztefon: Notarzt und Notfallpsychiater 044 421 21 21

An ambulance is typically only partially reimbursed by insurance, and calling out an ambulance is expensive. For a short ride (>5km) you can count on a bill of anywhere between CHF800- and CHF1'500. Basic insurance covers only 50% of transport costs, up to an annual limit of CHF5'000. If you call one, you should expect to spend hundreds of francs out-of-pocket.

Much better to call a taxi if you can manage. It'll be far cheaper.

yes definitely I was going to say, get a taxi to emergencies!!!

You are still probably going to end up with a high medical bill, but at least they won't charge you thousands for an ambulance...

I'm having a fever right now just thinking on my previous medical bill and how much would they charge for a simple ambulance trip of a few minutes drive!!!

You sure about that?

is there one for Schwyz?

Hope the OP is feeling better.

"Darling, I think I am having a heart attack, can you call an ambulance"


"Hello, Credit Suisse, I'd like to check my balance please".

You should always call your local doctor first. He knows your history and is nearer to you. Ambulances do not bring doctors, they only keep you alive until you reach hospital and eventually see a doctor. It is expensive and a waste of time to call an ambulance yourself.

Keep in mind, that not everybody has a medical history...so the ambulance, given she has nobody to drive her and is too frail to a cab, would be the most sensible choice.

Does anyone here actually know Crazykittylady?

Perhaps if someone does, they ought to pop around to see if she is alright, especially if she lives alone.

Just a thought.

willingly visit a crazy cat woman? nicely volunteered, tom

If she was local to me and I knew her address, I'd send my wife around to check on her.