Estonia's official language is Estonian (Eesti), but in Narva and Ida-Virumaa county, Russian is the dominant everyday language. Most healthcare professionals in Tallinn speak English. This guide covers essential terms in both Estonian and Russian where relevant.
The System: Key Concepts
| Estonian | Russian | English |
|---|---|---|
| Haigekassa | Больничная касса | Estonian Health Insurance Fund |
| Digilugu | Цифровая история болезни | Digital health record |
| Infektsionist | Инфекционист | Infectious disease doctor |
| Nakkuskliinik | Инфекционная клиника | Infection clinic |
| Perearstikeskus | Семейная врачебная | GP / family doctor centre |
| Arst | Врач | Doctor |
| Apteek | Аптека | Pharmacy |
| EMO | Скорая помощь | Emergency room |
| Kabinet | Кабинет | Room / consulting room |
| Anonüümne testimine | Анонимное тестирование | Anonymous testing |
Testing and Treatment Terms
| Estonian | Russian | English |
|---|---|---|
| HIV-test | Тест на ВИЧ | HIV test |
| STI test | Тест на ИППП | STI test |
| Veri | Кровь | Blood |
| Vereproov | Анализ крови | Blood test |
| Abstricht | Мазок | Swab |
| Kurgu proov | Мазок из горла | Throat swab |
| Pärasoole proov | Мазок из прямой кишки | Rectal swab |
| Kusiti proov | Мазок из уретры | Urethral swab |
| Tulemused | Результаты | Results |
| Gonorröa | Гонорея | Gonorrhoea |
| Klamüüdia | Хламидиоз | Chlamydia |
| Süüfilis | Сифилис | Syphilis |
| Hepatiit | Гепатит | Hepatitis |
| PrEP | ДКП (ДоКонтактная Профилактика) | PrEP |
| PEP | ПКП (ПостКонтактная Профилактика) | PEP |
| Kondoom | Презерватив | Condom |
Useful Phrases — Estonian
Booking an appointment:
"Soovin broneerida aja infektsionisti juurde." "I want to book an appointment with an infectious disease doctor."
Requesting an STI test:
"Soovin testida suguhaiguste suhtes — kurgu, pärasoole ja kusiti proovid." "I want to test for STIs — throat, rectal, and urethral swabs."
Asking about PrEP:
"Soovin alustada PrEP-i. Olen mees, kellel on seks meestega." "I want to start PrEP. I am a man who has sex with men."
Asking about anonymous testing:
"Kas on võimalik teha anonüümne HIV test?" "Is it possible to have an anonymous HIV test?"
At the emergency room for PEP:
"Mul oli riskantne seksuaalvahekord ja ma vajan PEP-i. See oli [X] tundi tagasi." "I had a risky sexual contact and I need PEP. It was [X] hours ago."
Useful Phrases — Russian (for Narva / Ida-Virumaa)
Booking:
"Я хочу записаться к инфекционисту." "I want to make an appointment with an infectious disease doctor."
Requesting testing:
"Пожалуйста, тестирование из трёх точек — из горла, прямой кишки и уретры." "Please, three-site testing — throat, rectal, and urethral."
For PEP:
"У меня был рискованный половой контакт, мне нужна ПКП. Это было [X] часов назад." "I had a risky sexual contact, I need PEP. It was [X] hours ago."
The Digilugu System
Estonia's digital health record — Digilugu — is unique in Europe for its comprehensiveness. All your test results, prescriptions, and diagnoses are stored there.
- Access via digilugu.ee using an ID card or Mobile-ID
- Prescriptions appear digitally — just show your ID at any pharmacy
- You can grant access to any Estonian doctor from any clinic
- Your vaccination history is there too
Emergency Contacts
| Service | Contact |
|---|---|
| Emergency (all) | 112 |
| Police | 110 |
| Mental health crisis line | 116 (free, 24/7) |
| Nakkuskliinik Tallinn | +372 651 2000 |
| Linda Kliinik Narva | +372 35 74 455 |
| Haigekassa info | +372 669 6630 |