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Doctor's orders, online
Written by: Jasna Sýkorová

Even the most pleasant summer can be ruined by a sinus headache, hives, or a sprained ankle. It's always best to see a doctor, but if that is unreasonably expensive or complicated at the given moment, you can look on the internet - it's full of information and DYI remedies.

http://www.lekarna.cz This site contains an on-line consultation service in which Prague specialists answer any question in three days. Unfortunately, their advice costs CZK 250, but it is covered by some health care insurers (not by VZP - the state-run General Health Insurance). There are also extensive databases, such as summarized illnesses, medications, pharmacies, herbal cures, etc. Although methods for treating these illnesses are for the most part lacking, information on interactions among medications is useful. The site also includes a dietary supplement shop and specialized articles. @@@@

http://www.doktoronline.cz This site focuses on health and medicines, with topics that vary from surgery to psychological consultations. Questions are answered by specialists, but this can take several days. A forum allows peers to discuss issues like smoking or experiences with certain physicians. Additionally, interactivity is supported by a separate section for rating doctors and spas. You can also search for doctor or hospital contacts or peruse a list of medications and a dictionary of specialized medical terms. The site also addresses the issues of addictive substances and sexual and partnership problems. @@@@@

http://www.doktorka.cz An online health magazine with an extensive database of illnesses. Each reference, such as "back pain", contains a description of causes, symptoms, and diagnoses. There are also the following sections: classic therapy, natural and supplementary therapy, discussions, and articles. Because most of us suffer from back pain, a list of symptoms that really necessitate a trip to the doctor would be useful. The site also contains recipes and diets that you can discuss in one of the chat rooms. @@@@

http://www.apatykar.info A site for pharmacists and patients who need or want access to the most information possible on available medications. The consultation services (guaranteed by specialists) have great potential: one covers questions about medications, and the other deals with economic and legal questions associated with health. However, they are used very little. The discussion forum among site visitors is much more lively. Visitors also get links to pharmacies - those that have their own web sites and are electronic communication-friendly. @@@@

http://www.homohumanus.cz This site cover both care at home and at the doctor's. It explains what home care is and how the law governs it, and relates the stories of people who take care of others. The health care consultations are more directed mainly at the layperson. If you enter a question about a child's possible concussion, the response, "See a doctor, this could be dangerous", probably won't resolve anything, but at least it gives you the feeling that you're not alone with this serious problem. The site also includes specialized articles on health care topics (epilepsy, etc) and a directory of consultation centers. @@@