Comments on: On Being Sick in Japan

By: Être malade au Japon, ce n’est pas une sinécure | Le Japon par la lorgnette

Tue, 11 Mar 2014 22:21:20 +0000

[…] les virus et autres joyeusetés sont relativement résistantes dans l’archipel, conséquence de l’abus […]

By: Vivre a tokyo: être malade au Japon, ce n’est pas une sinécure | Le Japon par la lorgnette

Tue, 11 Mar 2014 22:13:29 +0000

[…] les virus et autres joyeusetés sont relativement résistantes dans l’archipel, conséquence de l’abus […]

By: Ana

Ana — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 11:39:59 +0000

My experience is similar, just for the record. I have heard a variety of stories from others who have lived here, so I guess it’s like any other country of a fairly large size: it varies. However, I will add that the medicines they give do typically have a lower mg concentration of drugs in them compared to my home country of the US. My assumption is that it has to do with the average body weight being much lower. Personally, I love it because I think they are too strong in the US and the lower dose of ibuprofen works great for me without giving me stomach problems. Maybe if you are a larger person, you need a slightly higher dosage of certain medicines. Of course you should ask the doctor first!

By: TokyoDoc

TokyoDoc — Sun, 29 Dec 2013 02:44:21 +0000

Hilarious misinformation here. Masks do very little in the operating room except prevent particulate matter from entering the wound. No one wears booties anymore because they do NOTHING. The masks in Japan are a joke and have no practical function.

The reason health care in Japan is not expensive is that it stinks. Don’t ever get sick here. The quality of care here is below most third world countries. Being hospitalized in Japan is the scariest thing that has ever happened to me. And while you may disagree with me, as someone who has practiced medicine for more than 20 years, my perspective is backed up by education and experience.

By: Bobert

Bobert — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 06:04:49 +0000

Unique experience I take it? Nothing like that in the sticks here. Our drug stores carry cough syrup and influenza isn’t regarded as just the flu. We don’t require a doctors note and I hope you have health insurance which will bring that steep 5000 yen bill down at least 75%. Surely you learned this already since it’s been another year, but just in case the other posters are wondering it’s not always like this. In before moderated posts so they’ll never see it anyway.

By: Olivia

Olivia — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 13:53:41 +0000

In terms of masks, there have been a few studies done that stated they lose their effectiveness after 20 minutes. So wearing one doesn’t really protect you at all considering that 20 minutes is probably spent not seeing very many people at all compared to the total of your day. Also, no wonder many mangas feature sick people being able to stay home all comfy being taken care of by their loved ones: it’s everyone’s fantasy.

By: Archana

Archana — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 05:13:27 +0000

Not sure if this will help but i brought paracetamol tablets with me when i went to japan (it’s just part of my travel stuff – i didnt even know it was in there – around 10 tablets)
You could ask someone coming back from britain to get you some. an hour before sleeping – have a cup of tea with 3 spoonfuls of brandy. take 2 paracetamol before going to bed and sleep with a thick sweatshirt, flannel pants and thick socks. you will be a sweaty mess in the morning – take 2 vitamin c tablets and drink a huge glass of water. any fever will be gone and you will feel weak for 3-4 days maybe. works every time :)

By: MrsKytro

MrsKytro — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 07:15:17 +0000

As a fellow migraine sufferer, I can tell you that people here are not very understanding. When I was finally able to get across the full meaning of migraine, I was told to go to the hospital, even though there’s nothing they can do, every time I need to take work off because of it. Oh, and every time I’ve attempted to explain it, I’ve been told with full confidence that it is because of stress, and I should outside when I get one.

By: spartan2600

spartan2600 — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 13:14:16 +0000

This taboo about getting off work for illness seems to me a problem with the virtually-nonexistent labor movement in Japan and due to the culture seemingly designed by bosses. In the US, much of the middle-class and up get relatively generous sick leave, but most workers have it about as bad as it is in Japan (except more expensive or no healthcare). I was one of the lucky ones. Before I got back into school, my union job gave me 4 paid sick days and I could take 7 total sick days a year before any kind of discipline. Sick days doubled as impromptu holidays, vacations, and vacation-extensions. Its wonderful.

By: Paperdoll

Paperdoll — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 12:53:58 +0000

Laughing out loud…only so I don’t cry. I went through the nightmare of being sick last winter and I’m dreading the prospect again this season…