Korean Job Discussion Forums

gatorchick82 · Joined: 24 Oct 2006 Location: Seoul

I've been here for 4 months and have the stomach flu for the third time. Anybody else experience this? I have a fever, chills, stomach cramps, diarrea. Should I see a doctor?

jdog2050 · Joined: 17 Dec 2006

gatorchick82 · Joined: 24 Oct 2006 Location: Seoul

I haven't eaten any seafood recently. It feels more like a virus than food poisoning.

sojourner1 · Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 2:08 am Post subject:

oops double post. sorry.

sojourner1 · Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 2:10 am Post subject:

I noticed allot of my students all summer long have been complaining of stomach aches. I suspect it has something to do with traditional style foods sitting in the hot summer heat and developing salmonella in the food or on surfaces in a dirty kitchen which can happen anywhere. I cook all my own food for the most part and have not had a case of the stomach cramps yet. I had the stomach flu about 4 months ago for 2 days which is caused by a contagious virus.

Fresh Prince · Joined: 05 Dec 2006 Location: The glorious nation of Korea

VanIslander · Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 2:26 am Post subject:

i love seafood here (haemul tang, mayeun tang)

living along the southernmost region i have fish, shellfish, octopus, all kinds of seafood often

and indeed have gotten sick, though only TWICE in over four years: rarely

oneofthesarahs · Joined: 05 Nov 2006 Location: Sacheon City

It might not be the stomach flu at all. It's highly possible that you are allergic to something that you only eat every so often. I would say try to keep track of what you eat on a day to day basis and how it affects your stomach and body in general. Seafood allergies usually also come with a rash or hives, so check your skin as well.

mrsquirrel · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

Don't touch handrails.

Good advice or wear gloves if you do.

Dirty things will make you sick

Adventurer · Joined: 28 Jan 2006

articulate_ink · Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 5:34 am Post subject:

The International Clinic in Itaewon is good. They're not cheap by any means, but there's no language barrier and they keep a lot of equipment on hand for testing and so forth. Others on this board tend to bash them, but I've been going there as long as I've been in Korea and have had consistently good experiences.

I was there today for the same thing you're describing. I had the worst of the chills Tuesday night, and have been feeling better, but I wanted to get checked out, just in case. The clinic's monthly newspaper cautioned that there have been many cases of food poisoning this summer, so I'm not surprised I ended up with something. I try to keep my hands clean and so forth, but germs are germs.

Anyway, it's internationalclinic.co.kr. Hope you feel better.

mrsquirrel · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

kimbap can be sitting around for a long time.

I don't eat it unless I see it being made or it comes homemade from a students mother,

discostar23 · Joined: 22 Feb 2004 Location: getting the hell out of dodge

I have a hard time with korean food. All the salt, sesame and red pepper paste makes me ill almost daily. Definately avoid the red pepper paste and bean paste. Also the cheap kimbab places put MSG in everything so you might be allegic to that. Also if you are sick with the runs, eat some bananas, avocado or nuts, these will help to settle your stomach. (highly recommend banana lassi in the morning)
hope you feel better. IF you go to the doctor they will give you some pink stuff which tastes like pepto but works great
good luck

gatorchick82 · Joined: 24 Oct 2006 Location: Seoul

Thanks for all the advice. I feel much better today, but went ahead and made an appointment to see the doctor. I'm seeing Dr. Kim at the international clinic at Yonsei Hospital this afternoon.

Donkey Beer · Joined: 20 Jul 2006

Stop eating at Petra and you won't be bedridden with food poisoning.