Getting Sick in Ireland

Hey Jason, I heard you weren’t feeling well, how’s it going buddy?

Aw man thanks for asking, no one in particular. It’s nice to know someone cares. It’s been a little rough goings. I’ve just been feeling some general cold and flu symptoms, but when they first arrived they hit me like a truck and I thought it was going to be much worse. I guess the slightly different strains of disease over here are something my immune system isn’t yet used to. However it wasn’t all bad as I was able to learn a little bit and become prepared for a future illness/ accident. I was already kind of familiar with how my insurance and the doctors here worked, but now I feel much more confident and aware. I was able to contact my ISA representatives and learn a little bit more about the process of using my insurance and going to the doctor.

I’m glad to hear it wasn’t too bad after all. Was there anything you learned about Ireland through this endeavor?

Yeah I did! I think a lot of the time when people are sick in the states (regardless of severity), some people around them don’t care, and others start flipping out like they’re about to catch a worse version of the Bubonic Plague. There are definitely a few illnesses going around here, and in seeing others who are also sick as well as seeing people’s reactions to those who are sick, and people seem to acknowledge the illness, try and avoid spread, and then keep moving on with their lives. It’s not a melodramatic or big thing. Additionally, I learned general pharmacies here have a much more involved role in care taking here than in the U.S. Normally in Ireland, people only go to a doctor or nurse for something extremely severe. If someone is sick, ill, or injured and don’t know what’s going on or how to treat themselves, they’ll visit a local pharmacy and the pharmacist will help to recommend something and keep them healthy.