A couple weeks after I got here, I developed a mild flu -- nothing serious, but I did have a persistent cough. Besides the fact that coughs are physically annoying, the major problem I have with them is that they're impossible to hide. If it were simply a sore throat or a headache, at least it'd just be my own internal suffering and I could pretend that all was well if I wanted to. Not so with a cough. My inability to control my coughing fits resulted in Pat's family ganging up on me and insisting that I visit a doctor. I don't like going to see the doctor in general, so I was not particularly keen on trying it out in Hong Kong (AND paying money for it). Nevertheless, I folded under the pressure. Having your own family tell you you're being stupid is bad enough; when it's not even yours, there's only a limited number of snarky remarks you can make.
Anyways, I survived. It was not unduly painful either, but I must say, I'm glad my regular doctor at home doesn't wear a face mask while talking to me. I understand, of course, but I don't know. I don't like it. Plus, it heightens my awareness of the potentially horribly contagious people who have sat in that chair before me. Visiting the doctor did reinforce my belief, however, that doing so is completely useless. He told me I have a mild flu and then told me to go outside and wait for the receptionist to give me my medication. In my mind, the remedy for the flu is getting lots of rest and drinking lots of water and juice. When I went up to the counter however, I was most surprised to see the nurse hand over 4, yes 4, different packages of medicine. Granted, one package was just vitamin C, but still. I was instructed to take vitamin C, anti-histamines, cough pills and cough syrup every four hours. Kill me. I hate taking medicine.
Another thing that sucks about having a cough in Hong Kong: people around you stare, inch away and give you dirty looks -- particularly on the MTR/subway. Look, I'm sorry, but I'm covering my mouth. Besides, I've had this particular cough so long, I'm pretty sure I haven't been contagious for a long time. What do you want me to do? There are so many people in this city, germs are everywhere. Deal.
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1 comment:
Well at least you now know a sure-fire way of letting people know you do not desire their company!
As one with a persistent cough four years running, I finally went to the doctors for the third time, listened to their medical expertise and I haven't had the cough again! (knock on wood)
So take your medicine!
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