bronchitis and shingles in a foreign country Posted: 03-22-04 16:57pm
I`m a 25 year old australian female living
in a non-english speaking country. My
concern is that i`ve been ill at least 7
times in the past 5 months. Most of the
time its just been a bad cold/cough,
however, I did have bronchitis in december
(this lasted a month). Most recently I
had a cold for 2 weeks which I thought was
getting better and then I came down with a
fever and felt very ill. I went to a
hospital where they diagnosed bronchitis
again (i think based on the fact that I
bought my old medical records with me and
they assumed it was the same thing, even
though I wasn`t coughing at the time).
Two days later I didn`t feel that I was
getting better and a patch of shingles
appeared on my face. I went to a
different hospital (this time they spoke a
little english), where they diagnosed
lympagenitis and shingles. Four days
later i`m feeling much better.
My concern is that neither of the doctors
I saw seemed interested in the fact that
i`ve been consistently ill for 5 months.
I realise that a cold isn`t serious,
however i`ve never been this sick in my
life and want to be healthy for longer
than a week or two at a stretch. Does
anyone have any suggestions? Should I be
worried?
Thanks for your help. By the way, the
country i`m in has excellent medical
facitlies (the languiage barrier is
difficult though!).
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2ferano
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 23 Dec 2003 Posts: 3717
Posted: 03-23-04 11:20am
Well, shingles can give you a fever and
weaken your immune system for the time
being. Maybe they were coming on, and
that is why you cannot fight off this
bronchitis. I would give it a week and
see how you feel, and if you still don't
feel well, go back to the doctor. It
would be extremely hard since they don't
speak english, but if it doesn't go away,
I would definately go back. There could
be an underlying condition that is making
it too hard for your body ot fight off its
infection. But also, try not to stress!
I am sure that is much easier said then
done, but your body cannot fight as well
under stress! Keep us posted!
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2ferano
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 23 Dec 2003 Posts: 3717
Posted: 03-23-04 11:20am
Well, shingles can give you a fever and
weaken your immune system for the time
being. Maybe they were coming on, and
that is why you cannot fight off this
bronchitis. I would give it a week and
see how you feel, and if you still don't
feel well, go back to the doctor. It
would be extremely hard since they don't
speak english, but if it doesn't go away,
I would definately go back. There could
be an underlying condition that is making
it too hard for your body ot fight off its
infection. But also, try not to stress!
I am sure that is much easier said then
done, but your body cannot fight as well
under stress! Keep us posted!
|
purple333
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 1420 Location: Sydney
Posted: 04-14-04 13:57pm
As an australian who has travelled
extensively I do wish you'd given some
idea of the country, as this could make a
huge difference to any advice. 5 months
is in general way too long to be ill, but,
if you're in a cold country (ie where
you'er coming out of winter!!) you may
start to heal with summer, although if
you're going to be there through another
winter perhaps you need to build up your
immunity & perhaps get some advice
from home (australia, family, local gp
etc) as to the best supplements etc for
you. But if you're in an equatorial
country different advice applies. Etc
etc.
