Trip 1 (last Monday):
Having experienced a cough and congestion for close to two weeks, I decided it was finally time to visit Health Services. I came to this realization when I had a hand on my chest as I coughed and felt vibrations beyond what one should perhaps normally feel. Since I've had bronchitis manifest itself while travelling on more than one occasion (twice, to be precise: once each in Bermuda and Italy), I figured I should probably get checked out. Having no success booking an appointment by phone, I decided to pack up some reading and head over for a walk-in appointment.
After I found the building (not as easy as it seems, despite having had it pointed out by a friend previously), I filled out a few forms then sat down for my walk-in. An hour later (right about the wait time I had expected), I got in to see the doctor. She took my temperature in my ear (normal), checked my throat (clear), and listened to my breathing with a stethescope (apparently fine). She asked whether I had a wet cough - had I been coughing anything up? - and I said no, I hadn't. She then pronounced that it was probably viral, there was nothing she could do, and I would just have to let it run its course. She proceeded to enter this diagnosis into the computer.
It was at this point that I began coughing. The doctor turned to me, declared that this was NOT a dry cough (commenting quietly to herself about what WE consider a wet cough here in Australia), and said she'd give me something for it. She proceeded to use Google to make sure I wouldn't be allergic to the medication she was giving me, since I have one medication allergy which I apparently only know by its US brand name. Moments later, I had a prescription for Amoxycilin in hand and was sent on my way. Thanks, Google.
Trip 2 (today):
After the full course (7 days, 3 times per day) of Amoxycilin, I still wasn't better so I decided to head back to Health Services. I figured it'd be best to try to resolve this before I head into the Outback for 5 days this Thursday. This time, I walked over and made an appointment for lunchtime during my morning break in classes. After a brief wait, I got in to see the nurse.
As with the previous doctor, I listed my symptoms and mentioned that I have a history of travel-induced bronchitis (which term I made up during this post and did not use at the time). He took me through almost the exact same routine - temperature in the ear, throat check with a depressor and a flashlight, stethescope to listen to the breathing. I find this reassuring - they have an established pattern and aren't each just making things up; it gives the impression of being qualified in a way I haven't always been convinced Health Services people are at a certain US university I had the privilege of attending which shall remain unnamed.
The first two checks were again clear, but he pronounced my breathing "a little squeaky" and proceeded to select a new antibiotic for me. While he was doing this, I asked if he knew what I had or it was just something general, since he hadn't actually told me. He stated, as if perhaps it should have been obvious, that I have bronchitis. Silly me for not knowing already.
The new antibiotic, a mix of amoxycilin and other stuff, will hopefully get me healthy within the next few days. It's one of those potent ones that reminds you to take it with the first bite of a meal and warns that you must always take it with food. Fortunately, I love food and never skip breakfast (this one's 2-a-day for 5 days with an optional refill if it's not gone yet). I'm hoping this antibiotic is effective, partly because my bronchitis is probably now amoxycilin-resistant so uber-powerful in its lung-sitting capabilities. Guess what, bacteria, I can kick you out with stronger drugs!
Overall diagnosis:
The state of Health Services in Melbourne seems rather better than that in some parts of New England. I was neither asked whether I was pregnant nor diagnosed with a non-existent break in some bone. Instead, with the help of Google and an opportune cough, I was prescribed a variety of antibiotics and sent on my way.
In one major difference from at least one home experience, I was not forced to sit for an hour as a nurse who clearly had no idea what I have attempted to diagnose me; in expected big-school fashion, I was in the medical practitioner's room for under 10 minutes each time. Efficiency, efficiency, efficiency.
Thanks, Health Services. You (hopefully) make me well.
Hey Becca,
ReplyDeleteGlad that you're finally getting rid of the cough. I'm a fan of Geelong, considering that's the only game I went to.