Brisbane medical advice

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Eva888

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#323644 27-Dec-2025 08:35

So the last seven days have been through 6 boxes of tissues plus productive coughing day and night. It’s rattling and not improving and don’t want to fly and make it worse. I need antibiotics. Have Southern Cross travel insurance.

Before I embark on walking aimlessly, do chemists here give antibiotics? What’s my best and simplest way to get a script if not. Do I call Southern Cross or is this not deemed serious enough. Am around Sky City district in George Street.

Keep wishing it’s improving but just fooling myself. What a holiday!

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#3447492 27-Dec-2025 09:02

You will probably need to see an actual GP. Not being registered you probably should see an emergency clinic or after-hours service.

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#3447496 27-Dec-2025 09:08

@Eva888 Sorry but no Chemist is just going to hand over antibiotics across the counter with out a script

As above go see an actual GP

kiwiharry

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#3447500 27-Dec-2025 09:19

Best to see a GP.

I was in Melbourne recently and had a medical issue but as it was a pre-existing condition it was not covered by travel insurance. I saw a GP at a Medicare UrgentCare facility. It was free for me to see them being a NZ citizen/passport holder and condition was an acute flare-up.

I was in and out in under 1 hour as a walk-in patient.

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Eva888

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#3447503 27-Dec-2025 10:14

Thanks. I did try to do telehealth but the NZ phone number stops me. It’s Saturday as well. Still searching and don’t want to use a hospital. Geez what a holiday.

Eva888

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#3447508 27-Dec-2025 10:58

kiwiharry:

Best to see a GP.

I was in Melbourne recently and had a medical issue but as it was a pre-existing condition it was not covered by travel insurance. I saw a GP at a Medicare UrgentCare facility. It was free for me to see them being a NZ citizen/passport holder and condition was an acute flare-up.

I was in and out in under 1 hour as a walk-in patient.

You prompted me to look under Medicare and found one that mentioned NZ so will call them soon when they open and make sure I can go there. Thanks. You get so overwhelmed with information and so much to choose from, but this was the right course.

eracode

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#3447509 27-Dec-2025 11:00

Eva888:

Thanks. I did try to do telehealth but the NZ phone number stops me. It’s Saturday as well. Still searching and don’t want to use a hospital. Geez what a holiday.

Don’t forget that NZ and Australia have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement. To take advantage of that you need to go to a public healthcare provider and show them your passport as ID. Ordinary GP visits are not covered - but maybe right now that’s the least of your worries.

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gehenna

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#3447514 27-Dec-2025 12:17

Call their equivalent of Healthline

Eva888

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#3447515 27-Dec-2025 12:31

For anyone else in a similar situation centrally in the 4000 post code. South Brisbane Medicare Urgent Care Clinic. Located within the Cornwall Street Medical Centre.

Wow, I phoned them and they said just come in. I asked what I need to bring passport etc, they said not really needed but I will take it in case. I asked if they would take a credit card…no charge. Impressive. Now to find an Uber to come to the convoluted address we are at. Even our taxi driver couldn’t figure it out and dropped us off in the wrong spot and we were rolling cases all over the place, it’s new and no one knows it.

Sigh it’s been a mission. I just want to come home for a holiday.

Eva888

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#3447538 27-Dec-2025 19:28

Back at 4.30 pm so almost 6 hours. Result Pneumonia!

Someone just gone off to get the drugs and inhaler for me. Says I need an X-ray as soon as I get back, that’s if I get to go. Wish I’d gone to hospital instead as would have had the X-ray done.

Looking at the bright side, at least I’m not contagious.

networkn

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#3447540 27-Dec-2025 21:55

This sounds like a horrible situation for you, I am so sorry. Glad you got seen by a medical professional and someone is getting you medications.

I hope you improve soon and your 2026 starts better than your 2025 ended!

eracode

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#3447552 28-Dec-2025 07:23

Eva888:

Back at 4.30 pm so almost 6 hours. Result Pneumonia!

Someone just gone off to get the drugs and inhaler for me. Says I need an X-ray as soon as I get back, that’s if I get to go. Wish I’d gone to hospital instead as would have had the X-ray done.

Looking at the bright side, at least I’m not contagious.

I had a very similar experience in South Australia in May this year. Felt awful for days, went to A&E at Murray Bridge Soldiers Memorial Hospital. Had X-ray and a blood test and was initially diagnosed with pneumonia.They gave me IV antibiotics plus a script for various meds and an inhaler. A couple of days later the doctor rang me and said they had made an additional diagnosis of RSV. Great service.

Came home a week later, was still recovering. Six weeks later I caught RSV again from our toddler granddaughter.

So I do understand how you feel - not a pleasant experience.

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Rikkitic

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#3447563 28-Dec-2025 11:46

Does this happen to everyone? I visited Bali from Australia right around the time of the swine flu scare and immediately developed a high fever. After a few days I went to the tourist hospital and also came out with a diagnosis of pneumonia. Some antibiotics did their thing and all was well after a couple days. At least it wasn't swine flu! @Eva88: I am very sorry your holiday has been so buggered up and I wish you a speedy recovery. At least you now know what it is and at least it isn't as bad as it easily could be. We seem to be headed for another bird flu epidemic as well so that is something to keep in mind.

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Eva888

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#3447576 28-Dec-2025 13:12

Thanks All. No dramas today. My best friend in NZ is a Dr so it was good to discuss with her the alien to me, puffer spacer thing…which gives you oral thrush. Who knew. So it’s a choice between a healthy mouth or laboured breathing.

Took the first antibiotics last night then promptly threw them up an hour later grrr. Time is of the essence and want as many in me before the return flight.
Re-evaluating this as we go.

Pity there isn’t a 'loss of joy' clause in Travel insurance. Seen nothing of Brisbane except from the window and didn’t have turkey and xmas dinner, but am grateful that this isn’t some evil diagnosis and it will improve. Feeling quite a lot more cheerful now. Hope one can still buy Turkey as determined to have some when I get back.