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bixlerscott
Joined: 27 Sep 2006
Location: Near Wonju, South Korea
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 Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 6:22 pm Post subject: Long colds and illness???? |
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Is anyone else experiencing repeated runny nose and sore throat since being in Korea?
I am foxed on this one as I generally am a healthy man who rarely gets sick since I was in elementary school years ago. It's a little frustrating to be blowing my nose and offending Koreans every day, especially in my first meetings. I have been here for 6 weeks and it's where I get over a cold and then I get a new one 2 days later again and again. Ihave been through this cycle about 10 times so far where you get runny nose and sore through and then get better and then repeat again.
Could something be wrong or is this normal? Ok, I know that schools are breeding grounds for microbiology stuff. |
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venus
Joined: 25 Oct 2006
Location: Near Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 6:28 pm Post subject: Re: Long colds and illness???? |
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| bixlerscott wrote: |
Is anyone else experiencing repeated runny nose and sore throat since being in Korea?
I am foxed on this one as I generally am a healthy man who rarely gets sick since I was in elementary school years ago. It's a little frustrating to be blowing my nose and offending Koreans every day, especially in my first meetings. I have been here for 6 weeks and it's where I get over a cold and then I get a new one 2 days later again and again. Ihave been through this cycle about 10 times so far where you get runny nose and sore through and then get better and then repeat again.
Could something be wrong or is this normal? Ok, I know that schools are breeding grounds for microbiology stuff. |
Most teachers in their first couple of weeks / months get what becomes known as Seoul / or Korean FLU. Every foriegner I have known gets it, including myself. It's like when most people go to S.E Asia for the first time they get a dickie tummy.
It's usually the most intense flu you've ever had and yes lasts up to a couple of weeks.
I find the best cure is lots of fluids / vit C / chiggae (a Korean stew in a hot-pot) and then go to the sauna and sweat it out. Don't go in the cold pool or steam room though, that will make it worse, just go to the dry sauna...
Well, usually either gets rid of my cold within a day or reduces the symptoms dramatically.
Science bit - the symptoms of a cold are not the work of the virus but actually your own immune sytem trying to clear out the virus - hense dry chest and throat, runny nose, hot temperature, to create an environment non-condusive to the virus...
Thus a sauna pretty much mimmicks what your body does but more intensely. I'm not a doc, but it's what I read once a long time ago and it does work for me.
Plus you get to see what Koreans look like naked.  All part of the cultural experience...
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ilovebdt
Joined: 03 Jun 2005
Location: Nr Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 6:35 pm Post subject: |
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I would try giving your apartment and your bedding a good airing and make sure your workspace is always super clean.
Also, try and keep away from coughing and sneezing Koreans who don't put their hands over their mouths.
ilovebdt |
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kat2
Joined: 25 Oct 2005
Location: Busan, South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 6:36 pm Post subject: |
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| My permanent sore throat in the winter is due to the dryness. Try getting a humidifer. |
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butlerian
Joined: 04 Sep 2006
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 6:44 pm Post subject: |
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| kat2 wrote: |
| My permanent sore throat in the winter is due to the dryness. Try getting a humidifer. |
Yeah, when I was working in Daegu I was fine due to the high humidity levels, but now I'm in the countryside it's awfully dry. I've never had to use moisturiser in my life before I came here. If anyone can recommend a good facial I'd be very interested. |
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just because
Joined: 01 Aug 2003
Location: Changwon - 4964
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| Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 7:01 pm Post subject: |
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| butlerian wrote: |
| kat2 wrote: |
| My permanent sore throat in the winter is due to the dryness. Try getting a humidifer. |
Yeah, when I was working in Daegu I was fine due to the high humidity levels, but now I'm in the countryside it's awfully dry. I've never had to use moisturiser in my life before I came here. If anyone can recommend a good facial I'd be very interested. |
i find this comment interesting....
How could the humidity levels in the countryside where you work in Chungcheong be much different to daegu???
Not criticizing you here or anything but I would think there wouldn't be much difference...
In korea basically it is dry everywhere in winter and humid everywhere in summer in my experience...
Last edited by just because on Mon Feb 12, 2007 7:03 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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hubba bubba
Joined: 24 Oct 2006
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| Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 7:02 pm Post subject: |
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Hehehe...A good facial...
Anyhoo, I got so sick after my first month, I really thought I might die. Worst Illness Ever.
Sounds lame, but go to a doctor, and wash yer hands a lot. |
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venus
Joined: 25 Oct 2006
Location: Near Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 7:07 pm Post subject: |
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| hubba bubba wrote: |
Hehehe...A good facial...
Anyhoo, I got so sick after my first month, I really thought I might die. Worst Illness Ever.
Sounds lame, but go to a doctor, and wash yer hands a lot. |
Seriously, try my sauna remedy after consuming large ammounts of spicy food / vit C and liquids... |
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butlerian
Joined: 04 Sep 2006
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 7:07 pm Post subject: |
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| just because wrote: |
| butlerian wrote: |
| kat2 wrote: |
| My permanent sore throat in the winter is due to the dryness. Try getting a humidifer. |
Yeah, when I was working in Daegu I was fine due to the high humidity levels, but now I'm in the countryside it's awfully dry. I've never had to use moisturiser in my life before I came here. If anyone can recommend a good facial I'd be very interested. |
i find this comment interesting....
How could the humidity levels in the countryside where you work in Chungcheong be much different to daegu??? |
I'm no expert - despite a love of Geography I always hated learning about weather and climate - but since Daegu is essentially a kind of valley surrounded by hills/mountains on either side, the moisture is held in better. Also, the amount of pollution etc that exists in a city as opposed to a small town also adds to the overall humidity.
But I'm no expert as to the science - all I know is that my skin seems to get much drier here than it did in Daegu, or anywhere else that I've lived for that matter. My girlfriend thinks that it could also be due to the water, but I'm not sure.
Also, I know you're right about the summer/winter thing. That'll be a big factor. |
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mnhnhyouh
Joined: 21 Nov 2006
Location: The Middle Kingdom
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| Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 7:12 pm Post subject: |
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Been here for nearly 4 weeks now, and have had a cold for the last three. Seems to be clearing at the moment....
For humidity I have an oldish towel, I soak it and put it on the floor and let the heating do its job.
h |
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jlb
Joined: 18 Sep 2003
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| Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 7:16 pm Post subject: |
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| Complex 15 is the best facial moisturizer I've run across. Of course, I brought my supply from Canada. I have a feeling it's not available here. But online or someone sending you some is always an option. |
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pdx
Joined: 19 Jan 2007
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| Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 7:42 pm Post subject: |
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I haven't really gotten anything serious since I've been here (got here late september). I have a few minors cold, a sore throat that lasted a couple days, etc. All of it pretty similar and expected when working with children.
However, I do not work with kindies, so maybe that's why I've been better off. My kids don't sneeze and then touch me or wipe their boogies on me.
I wonder what lifestyle has to do with things, as well. This is just a theory, and feel free to have proof against it, I'm just curious. I don't drink or smoke and I usually get enough sleep, so I'm wondering if my lifestyle also contributes to the fact that I don't get sick very often.
I'm actually surprised. Because back at home, during my last year of student teaching, I got strep throat twice. I'm glad it hasn't happened so far here, and hoping that it won't in the future. |
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ella
Joined: 17 Apr 2006
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| Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 7:49 pm Post subject: |
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butlerian, try using a gentle cleanser, like Dove for Sensitive Skin, wash with cool or lukewarn (never hot) water. Pat your face dry with a cotton cloth (not terry). Put a tiny amount - just a few drops will do - of EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) on your fingertips and gently massage it into your face. That should do it.
The constant sore throat might be due to pollution, or if you're in an apartment complex, cigarette smoke. A good HEPA air filter in the apartment might help. Also, make sure you're drinking enough water to keep your urine clear or a very, very pale yellow. Most people live with constant mild dehydration which exasperates a lot of other health problems. Hope you feel better soon. |
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kat2
Joined: 25 Oct 2005
Location: Busan, South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 8:03 pm Post subject: |
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| ella wrote: |
| Also, make sure you're drinking enough water to keep your urine clear or a very, very pale yellow. Most people live with constant mild dehydration which exasperates a lot of other health problems. Hope you feel better soon. |
If your pee is yellow, you're in trouble fellow.
If your pee is white, you're alright.
Its true too. 2 liters a day seems to keep my hydrated pretty well. |
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hubba bubba
Joined: 24 Oct 2006
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| Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 8:09 pm Post subject: |
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Naw, when I take my multi, my pee is yellow. Doesn't mean I'm in truoble. It just means I'm pissing away all the overpriced vitamins I just ate.
Wash your hands, go to a doctor, eat spicy soup, lots of fluids, and vit.c, then go to a sauna. Then go home to your humidifier.
PS, Soju is not a fluid in this case. |
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