Possible Swine Flu and can't afford a doctor?

LegacyUser

Hey,

Renting with a foreign student here in Cork and he's after getting really sore throat, cough and fever... I've been trying to convince him to seriously get it checked but he laughs when I suggest it could be swine flu. Nearly had him convinced but when he heard the cost of a doctor in Ireland he's completely against the idea now. He hangs out with travelling foreign students every day so the most likely person I know to get it... and I reallllly don't want to be living with someone that has it and isn't bothered treating it.

What can I do if he wont go to the doc?

Lisa

Xiney

If he's able to laugh about it, chances are he hasn't got the Swine flu and only has a cold.

Any kind of influenza has you confined to your bed.

If you want to protect yourself, consider staying with a friend for a week or so, or washing your hands thoroughly and regularly.

Slumlion

People dont get fevers with a common cold,if he has a fever it's either a respiratory infection or Flu

LegacyUser

He spends most of the day in bed now (had it for about 2 days now and getting worse), comes down to hang out on the couch and eat though. He's really not in a good way, not just the cold, standard flu at least...

Outkast_IRE

And am i right in saying with swine flu a lot of people just feel bit under the weather for a few days and get over it no problem ??
I heard a bad normal case of flu is far worse

liah

Slumlion wrote: »

People dont get fevers with a common cold,if he has a fever it's either a respiratory infection or Flu

True, but it also doesn't mean it's particularly serious. I've gone through bouts of vomiting/fever/violent shakes that only last about.. 3-4 days, tops, and isn't contagious at all.

I suppose it's best to talk to a doctor, but to be honest, swine flu is way too hyped up and the actual chances of getting it are slim to none. Stuff like the symptoms described can pass within a matter of days. Sounds like you're living vicariously and projecting your hypochondriac self onto him.

Chances are he'll be grand.

Thoushaltnot

Unregistered wrote: »

Hey,

Renting with a foreign student here in Cork

Is there a doctor or medical centre on his campus? 'Might be an idea to get him to contact them, if so. I'd say that would be free or at least cheaper than a regular G.P.

tinkerbell

It doesn't matter if he can't afford a doctor or not, you're not supposed to see a doc when you have swine flu.

The_Conductor

OP- the HSE run an out-of-hours GP service which can be accessed by phone in the Cork/South area on SouthDoc: 1850 335 999

They can advise of an appropriate course of action.