Conversation 43

Listen to a conversation between a student and a university health clinic staff member.

Health Worker: Hi. Can I help you?

Student: Yeah. Hi. I’m, I’m not feeling very good. I think I might’ve caught the flu or something.

HW: Oh, OK. I think the doctor can see you in just a few minutes.

S: Thank you.

HW: And could you just sit down here and fill out this form, please? Just fill out this section, here, and down here, where the stars are.

S: Yes, OK. Have you got a pen?

HW: Oh, yes. Sorry. Here you are.

S (she writes on the form): OK…umm…and…oh. I don’t have my student card with me. I can’t remember my student number… seven…seven three…um.

HW: Oh. Well…uh, have you been here before?

S: Um, yes. Yes, I have, actually. Last summer. I had poison ivy. (laughs) In June.

HW: Poison ivy? Oh dear! In June…You should have a file here already. Your name is…?

S: Stephens. Shirley Stephens.

HW: OK, just a minute, Shirley. I’ll see if I can find your file. That’s ‘Stevens’ with a ‘V’?

S: No, with a ‘PH’. S-T-E-P-H-E-N-S.

HW: OK. Um…‘R’…‘S’…‘Stafford’…‘Stephens’. Here it is. Let’s see…Poison ivy rash…You were here on June 17th, and you saw Dr. Hemmings. And your student number is…7364-UC 12.

S: …Mmm…U - C - 12. And um…this is May 20th?

HW: Yes, the 20th.

S (writing): OK. Um… OK. There you are. I guess I’ve…

HW: Yes, OK. That’s good. Now, uh…in the last six months have you– been hospitalized for any illness?

S: No.

HW: Have you visited any foreign countries or received any immunizations?

S: No. Oh, yes. I drove to Vancouver for a couple of days last Easter. Does that count? No immunizations, though.

HW: No, that’s OK. Are you currently taking any medications?

S: No. Are vitamins medications? And glucosamine? I take those every day.

HW: Glucosamine? Why are you taking that?

S: Oh, the trainer suggested it to me.

HW: Trainer?

S: Uh-huh. At the gym. I go to the campus sports centre three times a week

HW: Oh. Good for you. But– ?

S: But– so, maybe I’ve been training too hard. My ankles and wrists kind of…ached. So the trainer suggested I try glucosamine. She said it was mild, that it was harmless, but it might help a bit.

HW: Ah.

S: Was she wrong?

HW: Oh, probably not. Many athletes and older people take it. But I think we’d better write it down. We’ll let the doctor decide.

S: It’s not prescription.

HW: I know, but we’ll let the doctor decide. Better to be safe than sorry, don’t you think?

S: Yes. I suppose so.

HW: And, uh…Have you ever had or been treated for rheumatic fever?

S: No.

HW: Heart trouble?

S: No.

HW: Hepatitis A or B?

S: No.

HW: HIV / AIDS?

S: No.

HW: And do you smoke?

S: No.

HW: Do you drink alcohol?

S: Yes, a little.

HW: More than six ounces a day?

S: No, not that much.

HW: OK. And uh…What are your symptoms today?

S: Well. My stomach feels awful. Like I’m going to throw up, you know. And I, I think I’ve got a fever. Anyway, I feel hot. I was really sweating when I woke up this morning. And, umm… I guess that’s it, really.

HW: Any diarrhea or constipation?

S: No, no. I had a…

HW: … a bowel movement?

S: Yes. This morning.

HW: And your menstrual cycle?

S: Oh, my period won’t start for about two weeks yet.

HW: All right. I guess that’s it for right now. If you’ll wait over there, the doctor will see you in just a moment or two.

S: Uh…um… Could I drink anything? Is it OK if I get myself an orange juice or something?

HW: Sure, if you feel like it.

S: Uh, I don’t really, no. But I thought I’d just try it to settle my stomach. I dunno.

HW (chuckles): Well, if the juice doesn’t work, the restrooms are right over there.

S: Oh dear… now I don’t…

HW: And the vending machines are in the corridor.

S (feeling like she is going to vomit): Uh…ugh!… no. Oh! I shouldn’t’ve thought about it… Now I think– I have to– Oh! Oh!–

HW: Be careful! DON’T RUN!