Korean Job Discussion Forums

[justin moffatt]

This is the third time this year that I have been violently ill. Symptoms of body aches, headache, chills, fever, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, vomiting, and extreme fatigue. I am unsure if it influenza (had my flu shot) or food poisoning. Back home, I had never been this sick, let alone this frequent. The Western educated doctors I have visited here have been less than helpful. I haven't found much information on the internet either.

Anyone else experience these symptoms and frequency while in Korea? Based on what I have experienced and anecedotal accounts, the medical system here is definetly lacking.

[NightSky]

I have some hand sanitizer I could sell you...

[justin moffatt]

Honestly, I have been thinking of carrying hand sanitizer with me at all times, since not many bathrooms have liquid soap. Although, I did try before when I first came to Korea and it kept opening in my pocket. -yuck-

Do you think we are more susceptible to viral infections, due to the overcrowding, and unhygenic practices here? I ride the subway a lot, and am sometimes concerned on contracting viral infections. (No-one covers their mouth, touching handrails, etc.)

[exit86]

I've been sick sooooooooooooo many times from bad meat in this country. So, a few years back, I made it a personal rule to never eat
meat handled in its raw, unfrozen state by anyone in this country.
(i.e. Burger King okay; Subway sandwiches . . umm depends; local butcher--HELL NO!!!; local kimbap place . . . no Korean meat dishes)
Guess what . . . . ain't been sick since then.
I pass the same meat shop every day and look at the same old, wooden
cutting block they use to cut the meat with a rust-colored knife, then put it in the unrefridgerated refridgerator for days and days until it is sold to some poor sucker and I wonder what joy awaits them hovering over the toilet wretching their guts out.
My wife keeps eating the crappy meat.
Guess what . . . she spent all last night puking her guts out because of some bad chicken she bought on sale at the local butcher.

[SOOHWA101]

Being sick in this country is common. Some may get away with it...good on ya, but the fact is, is that it IS a problem.

The Koreans will make comments about you having a weak immune system...HORSE S$IT!! All the Koreans I work with...which are many over the past few years, are routinely ill and visit the doctor at the drop of a hat. Also, it is common for a Korean to take a week to a month sick leave. I have seen this many many times.

I am always coming down with a lung infection of sorts, had major food poisoning once and mild food poisoning more times than I can count, and often times feel under the weather.

This is due to many things I can imagine...but the one thing that really pisses me off.....is the coughing in my damn face. I almost walked out on a prvt. today because the kid kept coughing on me and wouldn't cover his mouth. Ugh....

[maximreality]

I had it once, but the doctor only said that I had been drinking too much and gave me some painkillers, even though I made it clear that I had not drunk for weeks, had vomited about 100 times in a day, had diarrhea and cramps. Jesus I could have died now I think of it..

[Vancouver]

i was in korea for almost 3 months, and i've had 2 fevers (last time was like 4 years ago) and diarrea a couple of times maybe, but other than that, I was fine. Maybe its your immune system

[Ya-ta Boy]

The poster who mentioned riding the subway was correct. In addition, in all likelihood most of the posters on this thread also teach children, so are exposed to whatever they are exposed to.

I've almost never taught kids, almost always adults. I get the same number of colds each year that I've always had. Flu once, food poisoning never. (I've been here since the Kim Young-Sam administration.) Conclusion: some people have a stronger immune system than other people.

[justin moffatt]

I exercise regularly, eat healthy, take vitamins and minerals, immune system boosters, antibotics occasionally, sleep minimum 8 hours+ every day, wash my hands regularly, don't smoke, rarely drink, don't work with kids, and have limited stress (in my 30's). What more can I do?

Yet I have been sick with food poisoning/flu symptoms four times this year, and have a cold at least 6-8 times a year.

I believe the food poisoning was from pork in a cheap restaurant (Korean friend did not get sick), soon-dae from the street vendor (never again), and possibly Bennigans steak, shrimp, chicken dinner (although my wife did not get sick). I'm getting paranoid in eating out at restaurants.

Any advice on what more I can do to prevent getting ill? (Doctors advice is useless here).

[Cerriowen]

I got food poisoning one time about 16 mo ago, but I think I think I may have done it to myself... (forgot to check the exp on the bacon).

I never had the flu, but I get flu shots in the fall.

I've had a cold more times than I can count. Actually... it's not so much having multiple colds, as having one cold that seems to last for months at a time.

I had tonsilitis, sore-throats, colds, coughs, or just general ill feeling frequently...

I started doing two things...

I went to the pharmacy and bought some little immune booster tablets, that specifically help boost you up to avoid illness... no idea if that helped or not... but

I also started using hand sanitizer... particularly on things like my cell phone, mouse, and desk / door handles... I've only been sick once this year (knocks on wood).

Germ theory seems not to have come to Korea yet. Dirt makes you sick, but not those silly invisible things you cant see! Koreans would be happier to lick a mcdonalds table, than pick up something that had dropped in the dirt, in the middle of an uninhabited forest.

[cazzy3]

OP- if it generally lasts only a couple of days and came on strong it was probably a form of food poisoning. it's fairly common especially now that the weather is heating up that mayonaise, milk, meat, etc. will go bad much quicker.

many of my friends as well as myself have experienced it about once a year. watch what you're eating (check the dates, if unsure-throw it out!).

if your sickness is more chronic and occurs repetitively, you may want to try changing one variable in you life at a time and see if that is the cause, i.e change your diet/start using hand sanitizer/taking medicines. that way you don't have to change every thing at once.

good luck

[timetotravel]

what are immune tablets called at the pharmacy?

i have been in korea about 9 months and I have been sick more than I was for years at home....

I also really lack energy and get so exhuasted and warn out easily.....

Last week I got food poisoning although Im not sure exactly what it was from, but I was violently ill for two days straight.

I am really interested in this thread and what people eat/do to stay healthy, other than the obvious like washing hands and getting proper sleep, eating fruits and veggies etc.

[tob55]

There are actually a number of Korean plants and herbs that will spike your immune system so that is adjusts to the foods in this country. I know from experience that the healthier you eat has more to do with the intake of local vegetation, especially the leafy veggies. I can give you a run down on them, but I am pressed for time right now. If you want the list I can post in this thread a little later today or tomorrow if anyone is interested.

[RJjr]

I've never experienced food poisoning in Korea. I've caught the flu a couple of times, but that can happen anywhere. I think it happens to foreign teachers more often, just because the disease strains are probably a little different than in our homelands.

[justin moffatt]

Due to various factors (excessive construction noise, long work hours, etc.) my immune system has failed me once again. High fever, sore throat, excessive coughing, body aches, muscle pain . . . all over again. Ironically, the day I stopped taking Selenium minerals I got sick. Maybe a connection? Either way, so tired of being sick here, it starting to really affect my work. Any additional advice (e.g. mineral supplements, weather change, etc.)?