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English speaking Doctors (Centro de Salud)

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 8:47am
12 replies508 views4 members subscribed
Vinster70

Posts: 33

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Location: Rojales

Joined: 3 Aug 2018

Hi there,

We've been living in Monovar for 3 months now (loving it :)  But my husband has now got an ear infection.  I know we can go to our local Centro de Salud but I'm sure they won't speak English (very little English speakers here) and our Spanish isn't quite up to explaining medical issues yet.  My question is - can we go to any Centro de Salud as I was thinking to going to Torrevieja as more likely to speak English there.  My husband is 57 so not a pensioner.  Happy to pay whatever we need to.  Any advice?

Cheers.

271935

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 9:04am

271935

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Location: Villamartin

Joined: 30 Apr 2016

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 9:04am

99% of ear infections are viral which means antibiotics are not effective.

If he has had the symptoms for less than 7 days I wouldn't bother going the GP as it will be a waste of time and money

Vinster70

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 9:11am

Vinster70

Original Poster

Posts: 33

11 helpful points

Location: Rojales

Joined: 3 Aug 2018

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 9:11am

Thanks for your quick response.  He has recurring ear infections - has had for years.  The last time his whole face swelled and he was on an iv in hospital.   Not that bad this time I don't think but if its still bad tomorrow, we will need to get to a doctors.  Thanks again.

Yorkshire Lass

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 10:22am

Yorkshire Lass

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Joined: 11 Jan 2017

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 10:22am

If I were you, especially as the festive season is upon us, if you haven’t already been to your local medical centre I would still go as you will never know if they speak English or not. I would suggest that you ask ‘ Habla Inglés? ‘ I always ask with a smile and a little bit of Spanish can get you a long way! If they don’t speak English you could try some really simple Spanish 

 ‘no hablo mucho Español, Necesito una cita con el médico, mi esposo tiene un problema con su oído (I don’t speak much Spanish. I need an appointment, my husband has a problem with his ear). If you’re Non Resident take passport & EHIC. Obviously if it was a more complex medical issue then I’d seek either an English speaking doctor or an interpreter.

My Spanish neighbours always told me to try and not to worry too much if it’s not grammatically correct, the fact that you’ve tried is always looked upon favourably. Good luck

Vinster70

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 11:17am

Vinster70

Original Poster

Posts: 33

11 helpful points

Location: Rojales

Joined: 3 Aug 2018

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 11:17am

Thanks for your help - we do now basic spanish but was worried if no one would understand basic english, which I hear can be the case.  Thanks for the advise, I think we will  try the local clinic and then go elsewhere if no luck.  Much appreciated.

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Yorkshire Lass

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 11:23am

Yorkshire Lass

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Location: La Marina

Joined: 11 Jan 2017

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 11:23am

Let us know how you get on. 

Vinster70

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 11:30am

Vinster70

Original Poster

Posts: 33

11 helpful points

Location: Rojales

Joined: 3 Aug 2018

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 11:30am

will do 

jimtaylor

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 2:33pm

jimtaylor

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Location: Mudamiento

Joined: 2 Feb 2017

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 2:33pm

An alternative would be to just buy an antibiotic from a chemist, e.g. Amoxicilina 500mg.

Yorkshire Lass

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 3:01pm

Yorkshire Lass

Helpful member

Posts: 343

353 helpful points

Location: La Marina

Joined: 11 Jan 2017

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 3:01pm

I’m taking them as we ‘speak’ I always bring some back to Yorkshire with me, so cheap less than €2 for a pack of 30

271935

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 3:24pm

271935

Very helpful member

Posts: 836

679 helpful points

Location: Villamartin

Joined: 30 Apr 2016

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 3:24pm

Taking anti biotics which have not been issued by a clinician is not advisable.

The majority of all infections are viral, what this means is there is no treatment and the condition is self limiting and will clear your system.

If you take AB's for a viral infection they will have no impact at all. 

However, on the odd occasion you do have a bacterial infection your system will have built a resistance to ABs due to misuse. Rendering traditional treatments ineffective

What happens then is you need a strong antibiotic regimen, poss IV or worst still your body cannot fight the illness and you end up with sepsis and die.

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