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A teacher's viewpointAfter the crisis |
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I hope life is treating you well.
I'm a wee bit under the weather. On Thursday night I had a bad case of the chills. This could mean only two things, flu or my past as an exotic dancer had surfaced. After one day of my unsuccessful attempts at machismo, Emily dragged me to the doctor.
Coincidentally our two drivers are sick as well. Emily's sister Suzy loaned us her driver and we made our way to the doctor. This trip was complicated by the presence of campaigners, actually convoys of campaigners on motorcycles, in cars, and over-flowing from trucks.
This has been, thankfully, a relatively quiet time, (Knock, Knock: that's the sound of wood graced by hopeful knuckles)
Meanwhile back at the Doctor's office. It seems our fears are partially justified. One driver has Dengue fever - Demam Berdarah, in the local lingo. It translates as blood fever. The other driver and myself seem to have the flu. The highpoint of the day was an injection requiring me to be slightly immodest.
He's in pretty bad shape. He's vomiting, dizzy and needs help to walk. Dengue fever is a hemmoragic virus spread by a certain breed of mosquitoes. Indonesia has plenty of the things.
If you live in Indonesia do not believe anyone who tells you there is no Dengue Fever outside of Lombok.
We went home. The doctor had been confused by my lack of nasal or chest congestion. She still prescribed antibiotics and analgesics to control flu symptoms. Remember boys and girls, antibiotics can not kill the flu virus, it can only manage symptoms.
After two and a half days without sleep, the drivers thankfully have slept a little. Emily and her three charges braved the convoys and returned to the clinic, and a different doctor.
A quick exam. The doctor advises that we all get tested. Emily and the rest of the household are showing no symptoms (knock, knock lagi = again). The other driver came up positive. Me, I'm teetering on the brink. This time the doctor prescribes a heavier dose of antibiotics. He says that westerners are used to higher doses, and that are generally heavier body mass requires larger doses.
You've got Dengue!
I do indeed have Dengue fever ..can you say freaked out?
He also prescribes what is one of my least pleasant memories of South Korea. He tells us to drink Pocari Sweat. It seems Pocari is chock full of minerals,electrolytes, and vitamins. Who knew. I used to drink it because it was a great cure for hangovers. Thankfully, Pocari is also sold in Indonesia.
On Monday we return for more tests. On the plus side, the drivers have been able to eat and not vomit instantly. I have actually begun to sleep. Four hours today.
Tomorrow, watch out Rip Van Winkle.
If you live in Indonesia have your home sprayed. If your visiting Indonesia, Hati-hati (be careful).
I'm actually feeling better today.
I was able to shower and wash my hair today. I believe the neighbors were about to fumigate me. I did take antibiotics to deal with the infection, and analgesics for the pain but the biggest help has been the herbal teas and mineral drinks. Specifically Pocari sweat. Gatorade may be helpful in restoring your electrolyte levels and generally re-hydrating your body.
I'll be taking a few days off and then I'll be taking the family to Bali for a week. If I'm going to be resting, I want to do it in style.
All the best, Wayne and Emily.
Dengue Fever
Acute infectious disease caused by a virus and transmitted by the Aedes mosquito. It occurs in warm climates. Symptoms include headache, fever, and intense joint pain, followed by a generalized rash.
There is no specific treatment(see above), but the disease can be controlled by eradicating the mosquitoes and their breeding grounds.
contact Wayne at [email protected]
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