When I first arrived in Rio I was amazed how ever block had at least 2 different pharmacies, and they were always busy. But as I have come to spend more and more time around Brazilians I have found out why. They always think they are ‘sick’ and they love talking pills.

For even a minor cold my friends will spend 2-3 days locked in their house, taking 10 different pills, drinking special teas and inhaling nasal drugs all whilst they check their temperature ever hour. I never knew it was normal for people to have their own thermometer at home till I stayed with a friend over the weekend and they spent most of their time with it stuffed under their armpit.

Hospitals work very differently to, rather than going to see your local doctor when you feel sick, with some kind of virus or whatever else, you go…