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THIRD TERM FLU

Jul 29, 2010 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

I have been sick for a few weeks now. It all began with me running a high fever.  When I first began running a high temperature, I said it must be the flu. But as the days went by, I realized that this was no ordinary flu. It had a knockout punch. I ended up many days having to lie on the couch, at times not summoning the effort to get up.
Presuming that it was the flu, I drank a lot of fluids and took the usual medication since these things usually have to run their course. I stuck to the regimen of plenty fluids, rest and taking my medication.
My friends were supportive. They brought soup by the bucketfuls; they bought juices of all descriptions.
They brought Limacol and all manner of rubs to reduce the fever. But even with the air- conditioner on, I was still running a fever hot enough to fry an egg.
After a few days, I felt better and resumed work. Then the fever struck again for the second time. Again it abated only to return. My friends began to say that this was third-term flu that I had contracted.
I decided that I should do some clinical tests to see whether I had dengue since there is an outbreak in at least one country in the Caribbean.
I went to a hospital and told the nurse that I wanted to have a blood test for dengue. She answered that I needed to see a doctor first. I repeated to her that I wanted to do the test before I saw a doctor.
I did not wish to see a doctor only for that doctor to then send me to do the very test that I was requesting. I would have to pay the doctor for him to recommend the test.
But I was told quite clearly that I could not have the dengue test done unless it was recommended by a doctor. Now this was a private hospital so I was not requesting any free service. I was paying for the test.
Now you can go into certain clinics and have an important test such as an HIV test without having to see a doctor.
You can walk into laboratories and have your blood glucose levels tested as well as your blood pressure, so why is it that someone would need to see a doctor before having a dengue test?
What is wrong with that person requesting the test and then having a doctor interpret the results? It would save someone having to pay an additional consultation fee if they were to be able to request the test and then take the results to the doctor.
I understand the risks that can be involved if people are allowed to make their own preliminary diagnosis and then are given the results. This could lead to persons harming themselves. But certainly there must be a way for certain basic clinical tests to be done without having to see a doctor who may have a long line of patients in tow.
Right now there are long lines at most doctors’ clinics because there are hundreds of persons going each day to the doctors and hospitals complaining of high fever and displaying other symptoms normally associated with an influenza outbreak.
With the threat of dengue hanging over our heads, it is time for the health authorities to come out and pronounce on what is taking place.
The public has been forewarned about the dengue threat, which has been reported in another Caribbean country. The public needs to be told about the high fevers that are being run by many citizens in Guyana.
This is taking place in the context of the pile up of garbage in the city and the delay in the opening of a new landfill site on the East Bank. The weather is also not making things any better. There has been a lot of rain over the past week and this is therefore not the best time for anyone to be coming down with a fever.
The authorities therefore need to study what is taking place and issue the appropriate advisory, including perhaps encouraging those with fever symptoms to avoid going into public places.
We cannot be too careful with the present situation. We may have a serious health crisis on our hands and therefore it is for the health authorities to forewarn the citizens of any possible outbreak of an epidemic, especially with the garbage piling up.

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