paying a visit to the doctor

i had been mildly sick for more than two weeks (more than 2/3 of my time here :( ), so on tuesday i paid a visit to the doctor.

my supervisor recommended a clinic (http://www.hausaerzte-neukoelln.de) about 10 minutes away from our office.

the clinic was located on the second floor (well, third floor you're in the states) of an apartment building. the first few doors i approached were clearly just apartments and you could hear people living inside. but i soon found the entrance to the clinic and explained to the secretary "Ich bin David Good" and that i had an appointment. she caught me off guard with her next quesiton -- "Waren Sie schon einmal bei uns" -- but i understood what she was asking becuase i had read about visiting the doctor in germany. she was asking if it was my first time there. it was my first time, so i had to fill out the typical questionaire...birthday? height? weight? allergies to medicines?...childhood illnesses?...etc.

then it was time to wait....for about a half hour, then about 10 more minutes when they moved me into the exam room. the doctor spoke english. he asked about my symptoms, and said something about it being hard to know how to proceed....hard to know if it were a virus or bacteria infection or something. he listened to my lungs, and said my left lung didn't sound very
clear....probably bronchitis. he said he could give me an antibiotic, but it probably wouldn't help. he said he would give me a therapeutic tea and some other remedy.

here's the tea i got...google translated...
Husten- und Bronchialtee
The Sidroga cough and Bronchialtee N contains thyme, marshmallow root, plantain herb, fennel, Iceland moss and licorice root medicinal drugs that are used in cough for years. Marshmallow root, plantain herb and Iceland moss by virtue of their ingredients, the gums, an antitussive effect. Fennel and thyme make their content of essential oil expectoration.

capsules

i asked him if i could keep taking Wick (Vick's) DayMed. he said something to the effect of: "yes. but i don't like it because it's against the symptoms and not the cause." homeopathic all the way i guess.

i asked if he thought i would be ok to go out this weekend. he said something I didn't understand, went over to this cabinet, and came back with antibiotics. i guess maybe he thought I could be better by this weekend if the antibiotics worked.

the consultation and antibiotic (azithromycin, 3x500mg) cost 55 euros = $76. the other medicines cost $16.

by today, i'm starting to feel better. it was the first day in weeks i didn't wake up with a sore throat.

according to nick, the tea "smells like medicine," but i think it's ok. after i take the Gelomyrtol Kapseln, i can feel the oils when i breathe. it's like i just ate peppermint. the doctor also said i might smell like the medicine after a few days. :)

hopefully, ill be good by saturday... nick and i are planning on going to a birthday party.