Sick

I began to feel a bit sick over the weekend and it hit me this morning. I didn't sleep much as I was continually coughing and rasping for air. So I just headed to work to clear a few things up before heading to the doctor.

As you can see by the pic, a common cough requires a number of pharmaceuticals (6 varieties to be precise) and this is about the third time I have got medicine from doctors in Japan and notice that they always seem to give me more bang for my buck. In Australia I may get some penicillin and be off on my way but it seems Japan wants to make sure every symptom is cured. Each tablet helps with a different ailment - for example one stops my runny nose, another soothes the throat while the other is a painkiller. You get the idea. They also tested me for the flu which meant sticking a cotton bud up my nose and into the sinuses (it felt like it). Then they ran some tests on the swab. When the doctor called me back into her office and told me that I am showing negative on the tests for the flu I was very relieved. In this context it seemed that the flu is comparable to an STD or aids coming back negative as the flu is no where near as bad, but I am happy nonetheless.

Gunna take a nap now while I digest the various drugs.

edit: On a side note; I was surprised to hear that general physicians in Japan now have to learn English while they study.  Whether this is fact or fiction, it is good to fantasize about English speaking professionals who are Japanese.