Korean Job Discussion Forums

[typo]

So chances are good I have swine, based on talking to a physciain about my symptoms, lasting affects, that kind of thing. There's a chance it's just regular flu or whatever.

The question is, do I go to the hospital?
I mean, my body's pretty strong and can fight off things, and I think i'm gettng over it even now, but I still teach..

Also, I leave korea for good in less than a month.
Also, I have a friend staying with me visiting Korea for a couple of weeks. I don't want him to be quarantined either.

Advice please.

[seoulsucker]

People die from this. Get yourself checked out and if you're a carrier, do the responsible thing and keep yourself isolated.

[Goku]

I totally know what you mean.

I don't take antibiotics or that kind of stuff either. I prefer fighting it off.

Although I have to agree with the seoulsucker, I think from the standpoint of other people, it would be important to get checked out. You never know if you are a carrier of the disease and it can be harmful to babies and old people. Normally, I'd fight those things off but you know with the craziness of the swine flu it's better to get checked out.

Hey if you do have swine flu maybe you can get a Tee that says,

I had swine flu and all I got was this lousy T-shirt.

[eIn07912]

Yeah, go to the hospital man. Take your friend with you. If you both get quarantined, then so be it.

But you'd feel much worse should you get one of your students sick. I'm gonna assume you're like the rest of us and teach kids. You don't know if any of them have some kind of underlying illness that isn't public knowledge. Koreans tend to keep that kind of stuff in the family.

Also, if someone finds out you did have it, you knew about it, and didn't try to report it, you could get in serious trouble. I wouldn't put it past the health officials to try and make an example out of some foreigner over this. I'm not saying they want to, but you know how xenephobia can get when it mixes with some foreign born illness.

Just be safe and go to the hospital. Have you had a health check lately? Maybe you have some underlying issue you're unaware of. Not trying to freak you out, but things like Hep B or Hep C can go for decades without showing any symptoms at all. That's just the kind of thing the flu can take advantage of and wreak havoc on your immune system over.

[typo]

The thing is, i'm recovering. also, anyone have any information regarding a true quarantine? that is, if I do test positive, will i be quarnatined in an actual ministry of health building?

[crescent]

[typo]

because according to doctors, the majority of flu cases are now of the swine flu strain. The thing is, the swine flu "threat" is so overblown it's ridiculous.

*that's* why someone should f'in care. The koreans, along with a bunch of other people, swallowed the hype hook line and sinker. It's getting treated as HIV's stepcousin when in fact it's as related as goats are to frogs.

[Yaya]

[crescent]

[typo]

ok, i asked for advice regarding the quarantine.

alright, well, i'm an idiot for starting this thread I've realized.

the advice wasn't for the issue of "am i gonna die or not." From the mayoclinic :

When to see a doctor
It's not necessary to see a doctor if you're generally healthy and you develop swine flu symptoms, such as fever, cough and body aches. Do call your doctor, however, if you have flu symptoms and you're pregnant or you have a chronic disease, such as emphysema or a heart condition.

Ok. I'm recovering. I don't need to see a doctor. I'm generally healthy, and I've developed symptoms. So can we get past that part? Geez. guys, swine flu is the generic flu now--it's not something to freak out about.

I was more interested in the actual quarantine situation. But yeah, nevermind. Kinda sorry I started this trainwreck.

[knee-highs]

[Samurai Blur]

[mayorgc]

[typo]

no--I teach high school students. also, apparently I'm not contagious anymore.

[roll_eks]

if your flue is nearly over, or if youre in the process of recovering at home, and dont have high body temperature, DONT go to see a doctor.
hey, i went for my medical check and gee, korean hospitals are overcrowded like a rush-hour NY subway station... i woud rather die at home than in a korean hospital.
in times of epidemy, and in a country as ill-informed and xenophobic as this one, its much of an hassle to be perceived as the "contagious foreigner".
if i'd happen to get the flu, i'd just stay home a week, then pretending i had a weeklong soh-joo hangover when i'll show up again.
someone told me that at high-schools and unis, in case of an epidemy, the plan is to send the weogooks into one hospital, and the koreans into another one.