The 2 main illnesses in Japan are the cold and the flu. The flu means you can take a day off work. But if you catch a cold, you are expected to do everything a normal person does wearing a mask. In this article, we will understand a little about colds, flu, and allergies in Japan. If you are sick, we will see how to face them.
Anything that is not a severe flu that puts you in bed is called kaze (風邪) which can be translated as a cold. When the flu is quite severe, they use the word in katakana Infuruenza (インフルエンザ) which can be literally translated as influenza and flu. There are other illnesses that can be confused with colds and flus, such as the famous pollen allergy called kafunsho.
Catching a cold in Japan is easy, due to the different temperatures that change radically. The Japanese also venture into this temperature change when entering an onsen and using air conditioning inside the house and going out into the heat of the street. Even when entering and exiting a train or station, you are subject to this temperature change that can leave you with a cold.
I’m sick – Doctor and buying medicine
Most jobs and schools require a person to present a certificate to prove their flu or illness. Be prepared to schedule an appointment and pay a fee of 5000 yen. This is to get a maximum of 3 days off. Sometimes you need to take days from your vacation to rest if you couldn’t get the medical note.
Upon arriving at the medical appointment, the doctor will perform some tests, such as inserting a swab into your nose. After rubbing the swab in your nose and placing it in a solution for 5 minutes, he will determine the type of flu you have caught and thus recommend the medications.
Doctors love to give strange names to seasonal flus that make you think you have a serious illness; they even mention which country this flu originated from. The medications used to combat flu and cold in Japan usually come in powder form in small packets that you must swallow and drink water.
If you haven’t gone to the doctor and need medicine for flu or cold, you can find these powdered medicines at the majority of pharmacies. Just arrive at the place and ask for kaze no kusuri (風邪の薬). And if your throat is inflamed, you can ask for nodo no kusuri (喉の薬).
They may also sell tablet medicines, it is worth remembering that many tablets in Japan are weak, and the recommendation is to take more than 1 at the same time. They are made this way to avoid cutting tablets in half or taking too many with the intention of suicide. When I was sick in Japan, a friend gave me a medicine called paburon (パブロン).
I’m with flu and cold in Japan, and now?
When you are sure you are sick, the steps are to take the medicine until you feel better. People will consider you to have the flu if you have a very high fever and are vomiting. For some reason, vomiting = flu.
If you are not almost dying from fever in bed, then you have a cold. This means you can continue your life normally while wearing a mask.
The Japanese wear masks to avoid catching or spreading illnesses and also due to allergies. If you have a cold, you should wear masks that can be found in any convenience store.
Others use the mask even to gain sympathy at work and receive lighter services. Remember not to reuse disposable masks, and always change them when they become damp. Avoid touching the mask and remember to wash your hands with soap and alcohol when changing it.
Another thing you can do to treat this cold is to immerse yourself in a ofuro or even an onsen. The hot water keeps the body warm and also relaxes it. It is recommended to stay at home if you are not feeling well, always follow the doctor’s advice.
To finish, let’s leave a list of words that may help you:
Responsive Table: Scroll the table sideways with your finger >>
| português | japonês | romaji |
| symptoms | 症状 | shoujou |
| flu | 風邪 | kaze |
| medicine | 薬 | kusuri |
| fever | 熱 | netsu |
| headache | 頭痛 | atamaga itai |
| sore throat | 喉が痛い | nodoga itai |
| muscle pain | 筋肉痛 | kinnikutsuu |
| stomach pain | おなかがいたい | onakagaitai |
| joint pain | 関節痛 | kansetsutsuu |
| chills | 寒気 | samuke |
| fatigue | 疲れ | tsukare |
| cough | 咳 | seki |
| mucus or phlegm | たん | tan |
| nasal congestion | 鼻ずまり | hana zumari |
| runny nose | 鼻水 | hanamizu |
| eye pain | 目の痛み | me no itami |
| vomiting | 嘔吐 | outo |
| itching | かゆみ | kayumi |
| allergy | アレルギ | arerugi |
| diarrhea | 下痢 | gueri |
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