Mohammad Salhauddin, 35, Bangladeshi expat, cleaner
“It started with a pain in my throat last week. I caught it from my roommate. I was extra careful as I could not take leave. So I gargled with saline water and bought a cough syrup from the local pharmacy. I felt terrible for three days but it got better by the fourth day.”
Pearly Philospho, 32, Filipina, salon worker
“I fell ill last Sunday. My head began hurting as I got out of bed. The next morning, I got up with a sharp pain while swallowing. I felt tired and listless but went to work. On the third day, I came down with a mild fever and began coughing. So I went to the clinic. They took a blood test, prescribed antibiotics, paracetamol and cough syrup. By the fifth day, fever subsided but my throat continues to be sore.”
Mohammad Khan, 55, gardener, Pakistani
“I contracted flu from my roommate and am still running fever. It’s the weather which has made me ill as I start my day quite early at 6am and return to my room at noon. I am taking pills and syrup which I got from my hometown. Am getting better. Just took a day off and rested.”
