A Visit to the Doctor

I have not been feeling well for the past three days. It started with a sore throat on Monday. By Tuesday, I had a cough and a headache. Now it is Wednesday and I feel worse. My throat hurts when I swallow, my head is pounding, and I feel nauseous. I think I have a fever because my forehead is hot and I keep shivering. I decide I need to see a doctor. I cannot continue going to work feeling like this. I call the medical centre near my apartment and ask if I can make an appointment. The receptionist says, "We have a cancellation at eleven thirty this morning. Can you come then?" I say, "Yes, that is perfect. Thank you." I send a message to my boss telling her I am sick and will not be in today. She replies, "Feel better soon. Take care of yourself."

I get dressed slowly. Everything feels like an effort when you are ill. I put on warm clothes because I keep feeling cold even though the heating is on. I walk to the medical centre. It is only five minutes away but today it feels like five kilometres. My legs are heavy and my head is spinning. I arrive and check in at the reception desk. The waiting room is half full. I sit down and wait. There are magazines on the table but I do not feel like reading. I just close my eyes and wait for my name to be called. After about ten minutes, a nurse appears and says, "Sophie Brown?" I stand up and follow her down a corridor to a small examination room. She says, "The doctor will be with you in a moment. Please take a seat."

The doctor comes in. He is a middle-aged man with glasses and a calm, reassuring manner. He says, "Good morning, Sophie. What seems to be the problem?" I describe my symptoms: sore throat for three days, cough, headache, nausea, and I think I have a fever. He nods and says, "Let me take a look." He checks my temperature with a thermometer. It reads thirty-eight point five degrees. He says, "Yes, you do have a fever." He looks at my throat with a small torch and says, "Your throat is very red and swollen." He listens to my chest with a stethoscope and says, "Your lungs sound clear, which is good. No sign of a chest infection." He checks my ears and feels the glands in my neck. He says, "Your glands are swollen, which is normal with this kind of infection."

The doctor sits back and says, "I think you have a viral throat infection. It is very common at this time of year. The good news is that it should clear up on its own within five to seven days. The bad news is that there is not much I can prescribe because antibiotics do not work against viruses." I ask, "Is there anything I can take for the pain and fever?" He says, "Yes. Take paracetamol or ibuprofen every four to six hours for the pain and to bring down your fever. Drink plenty of fluids, especially water and herbal tea. Rest as much as possible. Do not go to work until your fever has been gone for at least twenty-four hours." I ask, "How long will recovery take?" He says, "Most people feel better within a week. If you are not improving after seven days, or if you get worse, come back and see me."

I thank the doctor and leave the medical centre. On the way home, I stop at the pharmacy. I need to buy some medicine. The pharmacist is a friendly woman who asks, "How can I help you?" I say, "I have a throat infection. The doctor said to take paracetamol. Do you also have anything for a sore throat?" She shows me throat lozenges and a throat spray. She says, "These lozenges contain a mild anaesthetic that numbs the pain. Take one every three hours. The spray is also good, especially before meals so you can eat without pain." I buy the paracetamol, the lozenges, and the spray. I also buy a box of tissues and some honey for my tea. The total is fourteen euros. I pay and walk home slowly.

When I get home, I change into my pyjamas and get into bed. I take two paracetamol tablets with a large glass of water. I make myself a cup of hot water with honey and lemon. My grandmother always said this was the best remedy for a sore throat, and I think she was right. The warm liquid soothes my throat and the honey coats it gently. I suck on a throat lozenge and it helps with the pain. I prop myself up with pillows because lying flat makes my cough worse. I turn on the television and find something easy to watch. I do not have the energy for anything that requires concentration. I watch a nature documentary about the ocean. The narrator's voice is calm and soothing. Within twenty minutes, I fall asleep.

I sleep for three hours. When I wake up, I feel slightly better. The paracetamol has brought my fever down and my headache is less intense. I am hungry, which I take as a good sign. I go to the kitchen and make myself some soup. I always keep tins of soup in the cupboard for days like this. I heat up chicken soup and eat it slowly with some bread. The warm soup feels good on my throat. I drink another glass of water and take more paracetamol. My phone has several messages from friends and colleagues asking how I am. Maria writes, "I heard you are sick. Do you need anything? I can bring you food or medicine." I reply, "Thank you, that is so kind. I think I have everything I need. Just resting today."

The afternoon passes slowly. I read a little, watch more television, and sleep again. Being ill is boring but I know I need to rest. My body is fighting the infection and it needs energy. I drink water and tea throughout the day, as the doctor recommended. By the evening, my fever has come down to thirty-seven point eight. Still slightly elevated but much better than this morning. My throat still hurts but the lozenges help. I make myself a light dinner of toast and scrambled eggs. I do not have much appetite but I know I need to eat to keep my strength up. I take my evening dose of paracetamol and get back into bed at nine o'clock. Tomorrow I hope I will feel better. If not, I will rest another day.

Thursday morning. I wake up and immediately notice that I feel different. My headache is gone. My fever feels lower. I take my temperature: thirty-seven point two. Almost normal. My throat is still sore but less than yesterday. The cough is still there but less frequent. I think the worst is over. I get up slowly and make breakfast: porridge with honey. I eat it at the kitchen table and look out of the window. It is a grey, rainy day. I am glad I do not have to go outside. I spend the morning reading and resting. At lunchtime, Maria calls. She says, "How are you feeling today?" I say, "Better, thank you. I think I am on the mend." She says, "Good! Do not rush back to work. Take Friday off too if you need it." I say, "I think I will. The doctor said to wait until my fever is completely gone."

By Friday, I feel much better. My temperature is normal, my headache is gone, and my throat is only slightly scratchy. I still have a mild cough but it is not bad. I decide to stay home one more day to make sure I am fully recovered before going back to work on Monday. I use the day to catch up on things I have been too ill to do: laundry, cleaning, and answering emails. I also go for a short walk in the afternoon. The fresh air feels wonderful after three days inside. I walk slowly around the block, breathing deeply. The rain has stopped and there is even a little sunshine. I feel grateful for my health. When you are ill, you realise how much you take feeling well for granted. I promise myself to take better care of my health: more sleep, more vegetables, more exercise. Monday I will be back to normal. But I will not forget this lesson about listening to my body when it tells me to slow down.