Health and safety information for international visitors to Seattle and King County

How to get health care in King County

For minor illness or injuries, visit an urgent care clinic or community health center. These clinics usually have shorter wait times and lower costs than hospital emergency rooms. Many accept patients without U.S. insurance and offer language interpretation services at no additional cost.

For serious or life-threatening emergencies, such as chest pain, severe injury, trouble breathing, or stroke symptoms, call 911 and say the language you speak once connected, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.

If you need help finding care, call 211 or 1-877-211-9274 to find local resources. Press 2 for Spanish or 7 for additional languages.

For a mental health crisis or drug or alcohol related crisis, call 988 or 206-461-3222 and say the language you speak once connected.

When visiting a clinic, make sure to bring your passport, insurance information, credit card, and information about medications, allergies, and medical history if possible.

Urgent care clinics near downtown Seattle that accept drop-in appointments

Additional options (please call before visiting to confirm availability)

• Amazon One Care – Virtual and in-person appointments
• SeaMar Community Health Centers – Find a clinic
• Seattle Indian Health Board – Locations
• Urgent care clinics – Google Maps search

Paying for health care in the U.S.

Purchasing travel insurance can help to lower costs for health care during your visit. Paying up front for care and then seeking reimbursement from your insurance provider is often the easiest and most affordable way to pay for care. Save receipts and take pictures for reimbursement.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please dial 911. There is no cost to call and treatment is free. Should you need transport for further care, there is no charge for life-threatening transport by paramedics to a local area hospital.

For non-urgent medical transportation, you may be billed by the fire department or a private ambulance company. You may want to consider ride share options (Uber, Lyft) as an affordable alternative for less urgent medical situations.

Language and interpretation help

Call 211 or 1-877-211-9274 for help finding health and social services in King County. Press 2 for Spanish or 7 for additional languages.

Most clinics, health centers, and hospitals in King County offer language interpretation services at no additional cost. You can call in advance to confirm if interpretation is available at a location near you.

Seattle's Hearing, Speech & Deaf Center provides DeafBlind and ASL interpreting, including emergency services: visit https://hsdc.org or call 206-323-5770.

Food safety in King County

Tap water in Seattle and King County is safe to drink.

Only buy food from vendors that have a food safety rating sign (the green smiley face sign). This sign means the food business follows food safety practices and has a permit from the health department.

Foodborne illness can cause vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, or fever. Seek medical care if symptoms are severe, last more than a few days, or if you cannot keep fluids down.

More resources:

• Learn about the food safety rating system in King County
• Report a possible foodborne illness in King County
• Foodborne illness outbreaks in King County

Severe weather and outdoor safety

Who is at higher risk: Adults ages 65 and older, children ages 18 and younger, people with chronic health conditions or mental illness, and people who exercise outdoors are at higher risk from extreme heat and wildfire smoke.

Hot days: When it’s hot outside, drink lots of water and take breaks in the shade or an air-conditioned space. A wet towel or cloth around your neck can help your body cool down. Watch for symptoms of heat stroke and call 911 if someone has: an extremely high body temperature (above 103°F/40°C); red, hot, and dry skin; a rapid, strong pulse; or nausea, confusion and unconsciousness. Call 1-877-211-9274 to find a cooling center near you.

Wildfire smoke: If wildfire smoke is in the air, enter "Seattle" or your current location at AirNow.gov and move indoors if AQI is 150 or higher (red, purple, or dark red). People at higher risk from smoke should stay indoors when AQI is 100 or higher (orange). If you cannot avoid going outside, an N95 mask offers good protection for most people. Call 911 if you have difficulty breathing or chest pain.

Cold water shock: Even when the air is hot, rivers and lakes in King County can run very cold from melting snow. Cold water can trigger an involuntary gasp and rapid breathing that can cause drowning within seconds, even for strong swimmers and close to land. Always wear a life jacket and enter cold water slowly—especially kids!

Beach closures: For lake beaches, check our swimming beach conditions web page to see if a beach is open or closed because of the water quality. Avoid touching any water that looks green, slimy, or has a strong smell

More resources

• Hot weather – King County
• Cooling centers, Washington 2-1-1
• Wildfire smoke – King County
• Current heat conditions and forecast from the National Weather Service
• Current wildfire smoke conditions and forecast from AirNow.gov

Keep children safe

Children are at higher risk from heat. Never leave children in a parked car for any amount of time, even with the windows open. A car can get dangerously hot in seconds.Drink plenty of water, wear hats, and reapply sunscreen every 2 hours. In very hot weather, take breaks in an air conditioned space, and place a wet shirt or scarf around your child's neck to help cool their body down. Find more information at kingcounty.gov/beattheheat.

If you get separated, make a plan for where to meet and talk about how to ask adults for help. Have them carry and practice using a whistle, and consider keeping an AirPod, AirTag, or other bluetooth tracker in their pocket. Spend time every day memorizing and repeating your phone number, and consider getting a bracelet with contact information.

Wear ear protection inside stadiums and other loud areas. And remember to pack snacks!

Illegal drugs and fentanyl

Visitors coming to the United States may not be aware of the potential for illegal drugs to contain Fentanyl.

Fentanyl is a powerful opioid that is often found in pressed pills or powder in the U.S. You cannot smell or taste Fentanyl, but it is often included in other illegal drugs and can put you at a greater risk for overdose and/or death.

Please never use drugs alone. If you suspect an overdose, call 911 right away and say the language you speak once connected. For a mental health crisis or drug or alcohol related crisis, you can call 988 or 206-461-3222 and say the language you speak once connected.

More information and resources: Overdose prevention and response.

Sexual health resources

Free condoms are available in Seattle and King County. Check the Free Condoms in Washington Map to find a location near you. Gold-colored pins show locations near World Cup Fan Zones.

Seek care if you have symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection, including unusual discharge from the genitals, burning or pain during urination, sores or bumps on the genitals, mouth, or anus, itching or irritation, or pelvic or testicular pain, etc. Services are confidential, and many are affordable and available regardless of insurance or immigration status.

The Public Health Sexual Health Clinic at Harborview Medical Center offers free resources, including testing and treatment for HIV and sexually transmitted infections, HIV PrEP and PEP, DoxyPEP (228 KB), mpox vaccines, condoms, and more.

• Address: Ninth and Jefferson Building, 908 Jefferson St, 11th Floor, Seattle, WA
• Hours: 7:30 am to 6 pm Monday, 9:30 am to 6 pm Tuesday, and 7:30 am to 6 pm Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Closed on Saturday and Sunday.
• Find more information at kingcounty.gov/SHC, or call 206-744-3590.

More resources:

• List: Where to get tested for HIV, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and Hepatitis C
• Map: Easier Access to HIV/STI Testing, Treatment and PrEP

King County health resources

• Public Health – Seattle & King County main website
• Crisis care for a mental health or drug related crisis
• Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, and our blog for the latest updates
• City of Seattle Emergency Management
• KCemergency.com blog