Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Omkara]

For those of you who've been here a while, has your immune system gotten stronger, or have you been constantly fighting off a cold since you've been here?

It seems that just as I get healthy, the next cold comes on. . .

Back home, I almost never caught colds.

[espo]

I'm the same way. I just got over a cold last weekend and now I have a terribly sore throat. I've been to the doctors numerous times since I've been here (years) and doctors are always telling me something different. I don't even bother going anymore.

Just try to eat healthy and drink lots of water.

[nobbyken]

I have to keep my sensitive nose away from the cold air at times, or it feels like a constant cold.

Also the air is very dry right now, so is bad throat season.

I had a wee head cold last week, nothing serious.......Butttt.....
I woke up in the early hours with really painful shoulders/arms.
My nurse wife asked if I had any lumps on my neck or armpits?
Sure enough I had one small very sensitive lump (lymph gland) under one armpit, and it felt like I had a chill in my bones. Seems common enough here, though I never had in the UK. Seems common if the body is low on immunity for some reason.
I got some pills from the yakgug and ate plenty nutritious meals. Better now.

[billybrobby]

In my first year, I was waaay sicker than I've been any year since. Although, I still get sicker more often than in America.

Oddly, I used to get strep-throat-like symptoms at least once a year in America, but I never get that anymore. Instead, I get a lot of respiratory ailments.

[JMO]

I get alot of little colds in winter..nothing serious. From march to november I'm the picture of health though. I would get colds all year in Ireland but the hotter weather here seems to suit me, plus the lack of hayfever here makes summer bliss in alot of ways.

One thing I do get is dermatitis...I have been to the doctor a few times about it..nobody has been able to pin down the cause. I know that cement/plaster can cause it, but I never handle that here, so..

[spliff]

I don't think there are many cold/flue viruses here, I can't remember the last time I was sick. In two years I haven't missed a single day at work.

[exit86]

I've been extremely sick of winter for the past few weeks.
Prognosis: not good, at least for another 2 or 3 weeks.

[Ilsanman]

I used to get sick about twice as often as back home, despite Canada being a heck of a lot colder.

This year, for the first time ever, I took the flu vaccination. They said b/c it was my first time, I needed yet another vaccination after a month. I decided not to listen, and got just the one. I haven't been sick in 4-5 months. Nothing. Not even the sniffles.

[idonojacs]

I've got a better question:

Obviously, sharing food with your Korean co-workers is a great way to get sick. Some of us have no choice; that, or be rude. But some of you perhaps are not pressured to go out to eat with Koreans. Do you have less colds?

Here's another:

Those of you who share food with Koreans, and then get a date with a nice Korean that leads to kissing or more. Do you still get sick, or not get sick, after having shared food? In other words, do you think sharing food immunizes you for kissing?

[NightSky]

[Omkara]

Population density is a major factor, especially here is Busan. So many people don't cover their mouths when they cough; boy students and ajoshies spit everywhere; tight public transport: all these factors make for a very germy atmosphere.

I actually think I got this one while at the hospital getting my screening test for my school. One receptionist wasn't covering her mouth while she coughed. . .her tongue hung nearly lower than her chin while she cleared the gunk from her lungs; and then, in waiting, some lady had a nasty lung infection and coughed profusely and directly at those of us sitting across from her. She coughed long, hard and deeply without raising a hand to prevent the spred of germs.

Yet, everyone here remembers to use the face-masks. Maybe I understand why now!

[idonojacs]

While face masks are useful if you are already sick to prevent you from spreading your germs, they aren't a reliable way for healthy people to avoid contracting bugs like the flu or cold unless the mask also covers your eyes.

You can become infected by the germs or viruses coming into contact with your mucous membranes. These are found in your lungs, nasal passages and your eyes.

So someone sneezing close enough for the vaporized stuff to reach your eyes could make you sick. Rubbing your eyes with dirty hands, perhaps after shaking hands with someone who is sick, also could make you sick.

When I was a kid the elementary school showed a Disney animation film once a year that showed how water droplets from coughing or sneezing spread germs. Very colorful. Very effective. Anyone else remember seeing that?

Maybe they should translate it into Korean. Seriously.

There are simple things Korea could do to teach people about how disease is spread. But you have to decide you are willing to change some of your treasured customs and superstitions. And you have to start by teaching children.

One day it will happen. Perhaps when the kids we are teaching grow up, finish college, and run the country.

We are teaching the future of Korea.

[Omkara]

I've tried top make the point in the school that all the spitting spreads respiritory system diseases. I often get the response, "Oh, but it's the parents who don't teach them proper manners."

Bacteria can live in spittle for a day or more. We step in it, take off our shoes, rub our eyes. . .

I've shown this to them:

http://profiles.nlm.nih.gov/VC/B/B/B/H/_/vcbbbh.jpg

I don't see that any action has been taken, but if we apply steady pressure, maybe districts will take notice and impliment a top-down policy.

I mean, it is one bad habit to have when there exists the "Asian Bird Flu."
The habit needs to be curbed before there is another public health crisis. I think it is a serious issue that people simply write off as bad manners, but which could potentially contribute to epidemic.

[fortysixyou]

Here's how you get sick in Korea:

1.) Never wash your hands

2.) Touch your eyes, nose, and mouth a lot.

3.) Don't drink lots of water



I haven't had a cold since halfway through my first contract, over a year ago.

I drink 6 liters of water a day, never touch my face, and wash my hands a pantload.

[plus99]

im having the same problem. ive been sick almost the entire time ive been here, 3 months. i almost never get sick at home.