The weather has been so unpredictable lately, hot enough for short sleeves one moment and needing a thick coat the next. Unsurprisingly, I got sick—a cold and fever, but the worst part was a persistent cough. I felt like I was going to cough my lungs out.
Initially, I thought I could just tough it out by drinking hot water and taking some medicine I brought from home. However, this cough was incredibly stubborn, especially at night, making it impossible to get any proper sleep. After struggling for two days, I decided it was time to see a doctor at one of the [Spanish hospitals]. I made an appointment with my family doctor at the local health center (centro de salud). Since it wasn’t a life-threatening situation where you might worry about the Spanish hospital mortality rate, I just followed the routine process.
How to See a Doctor for a Cough in Spain
1. Making an Appointment
I booked my appointment directly through my autonomous community’s health app, picking the earliest available slot. If you don’t have the app, you can also book in person at the front desk of your centro de salud. For urgent situations, like difficulty breathing or a persistent high fever, you should go to the hospital’s emergency room (urgencias). Thankfully, my case was just a severe cough, not a critical situation requiring something like post-mortem arrangements in Spanish hospitals, so I avoided taking up emergency resources.
2. The Consultation
Once I saw the doctor, I explained my symptoms. This brings up the language barrier. Although my Spanish is okay for daily conversation, describing medical conditions was a bit of a struggle. I’ve listed a few key phrases I used that you might find helpful:
| English | Spanish |
|---|
| I have a bad cough. | Tengo mucha tos. |
| Is it a dry cough or with phlegm? | ¿Es tos seca o con flema? |
| I have a sore throat. | Me duele la garganta. |
| I have a slight fever. | Tengo un poco de fiebre. |
| The cough is worse at night. | Toso más por la noche. |
The doctor was very patient. He used a stethoscope to listen to my lungs and also checked my throat. He diagnosed a minor bronchial infection but said it was nothing serious.
3. Getting a Prescription
In the end, the doctor prescribed two things for me: a cough syrup and an anti-inflammatory medication. He stressed the importance of drinking plenty of water and getting lots of rest. With the electronic prescription, I could go to any pharmacy, swipe my social security card, and pick up the medicine. It was incredibly convenient. I have to say, although appointments in Spain’s public healthcare system can sometimes take a while to get, the overall process is quite straightforward.
I hope this little bit of experience can help someone out. When you’re living abroad, your health is the most important thing. If anyone has had a similar experience or has anything to add, feel free to leave a comment and discuss below! Wishing everyone good health and stay virus-free
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