I got sick while traveling in the Maldives – and got great care

Pam LeBlanc got sick while traveling in the Maldives Islands and wound up in a clinic getting three units of fluids. Chris LeBlanc photo

Fact: It sucks to get sick while traveling, especially if you’re in a foreign country.

But it happens. And in the last year, it’s happened to me a lot, from a torn ACL while skiing in Idaho to a bout of gastrointestinal distress in Bangkok, vomiting in the Marshall Islands and Covid in Alaska.

This time, I found myself in the fetal position on the bathroom floor while traveling in the Maldives Islands. After two bouts of vomiting and some serious diarrhea, I was dehydrated and weak.

Luckily, the resort where I was staying, Siyam World, had a staff doctor. They sent him over to check on me. The doctor called a tiny ambulance, which transported me to the island’s medical clinic.

Read more: Ten things to know before you plan a trip to the Maldives Islands

There, I received two units of fluids and some anti-nausea medication. After a few hours, I headed back to my room.

I woke once more that night, sick yet again – and that earned me another trip to the clinic and another IV of fluids the next morning.

In all, I lost about two days of action – then passed it to my husband Chris, who got a less intense version of my bug. But without the IV fluids, my recovery likely would have taken longer.

My advice? If you get sick when you’re at an island resort (or anywhere, really) reach out to the front desk. There might be a doctor on staff. If there’s not, they’ll probably be able to tell you where to find medical help.

You spent money to take the trip – it’s worth a doctor’s visit to make sure you’re able to enjoy it.