Korean Job Discussion Forums

[schwa]

I wonder how many of the chronic sufferers here rush to take medication for every sniffle & cough?

That denies your immune system the chance to right itself naturally & grow stronger. A fever, for example, is your body working properly against disease -- dont suppress it! Overcoming a virus without pharmaceutical symptom-relievers enhances future resistance.

No need to see a doctor unless your condition is dire! As we all know, doctors here dole out antibiotics like candy, leaving you defenceless the next time a rugrat sneezes in your direction. (If you absolutely must take antibiotics, eat tons of the excellent yogurt products available here.)

Its normal for kids to get sick frequently -- theyre building antibodies. Its not normal for adults.

Saunas! Great for disease prevention or symptom alleviation. Bacteria hate heat.

Eat out frequently with Koreans! Those communal soups & sidedishes & soju cups will bring you up to speed quickly with the local antibody pool.

Enjoy life! Letting your guard down against disease is as much psychological as physical. Happy outgoing people get sick less frequently. Theyre not emotionally dependent on periodic doses of pity, or looking for an excuse to avoid work.

Thats my 2 cents based on years of personal observation.

I caught a couple colds annually when I first came here which I embraced as natural adjustments. I'm by no means a paragon of healthy living -- I smoke, drink, & I've never set foot in a health club. I also work with 400 kids every week. Havent had so much as a cold in going on 3 years, touch wood.

[desultude]

I agree that letting nature take its course is best, unless it is a bad infection (bacterial). I have no choice, as I am allergic to a main ingredient in most cold meds (psuedafed). I (knock wood) have been having much fewer colds after my first year here. I assume that it is because my immune system has adjusted, and I don't teach children.

Most cold medications only deal with suppressing symptoms. Most symptoms are indications that your body is dealing with things. Embrace them.

[JongnoGuru]

[luinfalathiel]

Usually I am healthy as a horse. Back in Canada, I hadn't had a cold (or any other illness) for years. So far in my two months here in Korea I have had one cold, just getting another, and I had one weird stomach virus that laid me out for a day.

I'm not drinking any more than usual, although I admit my diet suffered my first couple of weeks here.

The good thing is that I do throw things off quickly when I do get sick. Since last night was the bad sore throat phase, that should be over by today, and then by Friday I should be down to some coughs and sniffles.

My theory is that I had gone through all the Canadian cold virii, and now my body is trying to deal with the new Korean bugs it has never encountered.