Once you're on your own, whether away from home at college or starting life as an adult, you'll eventually need to tend to your health; namely, you're going to need to see a doctor for some reason, or at least get to a pharmacy for some help to feel better.
First, how to know you are 'sick enough' to be seen by a doctor. Here are some guidelines, but truly: if you feel incredibly sick, then you're sick enough.
- Do you know how to take your temperature? You can get a digital thermometer at a pharmacy, they're easy to use if you follow the directions. Normal is usually 98.6. If it's more than 100, it might indicate you're fighting something.
- A bad cough may indicate a respiratory infection
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea that just won't stop after 24 hours and laying off food, should be checked out
- If your chest aches, you may have any number of respiratory issues
- A very raw sore throat may be strep. However, strep doesn't always cause a sore throat. It also can be shown by feeling nauseous, headaches, and a rash.
- For women, if you are not sure whether you have a yeast infection, you should see a doctor.
- You also should be seen if you are having depression that won't ease up. Don't feel like it's not important enough, it is.
While you wait for your appointment, here are some things to try that may help:
Cold/Cough/Chest/Sore Throat - Lots (Lots) of liquids, particularly water; cough drops or anything to suck on that soothes your throat; salt water gargle; ice pops; keeping warm; sleep. Tylenol or ibuprofen for aches and pains (have a little food with ibuprofen as it upsets the stomach)
Vomiting, stomach upset - flat or sometimes fizzy soft drinks, especially clear ones; nothing but clear liquids for 24 hours and then bland foods like soda crackers, bananas, applesauce, plain cooked rice. Have small amounts at a time and see if it stays put.
For any illness, you may want to try products OTC (over the counter) to see if they help-ask a pharmacist for suggestions.
How do you make an appointment?
It doesn't matter if you are at home or away at college, it's the same procedure: First, you call the clinic. Have an idea what time you'll be able to come in. If you prefer a certain doctor or nurse practitioner, say you want to make an appointment with her. Otherwise, just say you need to be seen. They will ask what your symptoms are. This is so they are prepared for possible lab tests or anything else they commonly do, and to gauge how long an appointment you will need. They will tell you what times are available. You can choose the time you want. Write it down so you don't forget.
They will ask what insurance you have. Be sure you can answer that one. They will likely want a copy of your insurance card when you come in for your appointment.
Show up on time or a bit early for your appointment, and have your debit card with you for the copay. Go to the checkin desk and tell them who you are, and that you have an appointment at 9:00 with Mary Jones, for instance. They'll ask for your insurance card and possibly a co-pay. Get a receipt for that and keep it in a safe place.
When they call your name to go to your exam room, answer the doctor's questions as well as you can. It's hard to diagnose when you're not being clear. She will listen to your heart and lungs, look in your ears and at your throat, examine your lymph glands (below your ears), and may have you lay down so she can palpate (feel) your belly, and will need to examine anything that might indicate what the problem is. She may want to do lab tests such as a white blood count. That will indicate if you are fighting an infection. If there is anything at all you don't understand, ask the person to explain.
It's possible your doctor will determine that you have something viral, and antibiotics won't help.
You can also ask the doctor to write down your instructions for when you leave; most of them will give you a printout to take home with you.
It is important to know if you have any allergies to any kind of medication. Ask your parent if you don't know. If you have seen this same doctor for a few times, he or she will likely know and will prescribe only drugs that are safe for you to take.
If you have something viral, then a prescription won't help. The doctor can suggest ways for you to soothe your symptoms.
If you get a prescription, and they don't fill it at the doctor's office, here's how you get it filled.
Some doctors will call in your prescription for you at the end of your appointment (know where you want them to send it to be filled). If you get a slip of paper, called a scrip, take the scrip to your pharmacy and give it to the person working there. If you're not in their records they may ask for your information. They'll also need to know what insurance you use. They may be able to fill it while you wait, or may have you come back.
Once it is ready, you pay the copay and they give you your medicine. Ask any questions you have, and they may tell you not to take this medication with certain foods. Pay attention to that: Sometimes if you take a medication with orange juice, for example, it wipes out the effect of the medication. There will be cautions printed on the paper you get with the prescription. If you have any questions, you can call the pharmacy and ask them.
Take the medication exactly as it says on the pill or liquid bottle, and finish it all, even if you start to feel better in a couple of days. If you finish it and still aren't better, call the doctor to see what she thinks you should do (another round of medication? Something different?).
Most of all, don't be afraid to see a doctor when you are concerned. They really want to help you feel better. And if it's something that will simply run its course, then you don't have to be worried about it anymore.
Take care of yourself!!
