Four days ago, Magge developed a debilitating headache, stomach cramps, fever and a rash on her torso. Using my extensive medical skills (trust me, my dad's a doctor), I determined she had dengue fever. We went to one of the few clinics here in Battambang that supposedly has an English-speaking doctor to confirm the diagnosis and see what our treatment options were. After a short wait, we were in a room with a doctor who seemed to understand English.
Magge: "I have an intense headache and really bad stomach pains."
Doctor: (blank stare)
Me: "She also has a rash on her stomach," while pointing it out. I thought the visual would trigger the proper reaction.
Doctor: "Is it itchy?"
Magge: "No."
The doctor then wrote a prescription, and instructed Magge to take one of the medications in the morning and the other that night.
Doctor: "This will help rash."
Me: "That's it? We're not worried about the rash."
Magge: "The bigger problem is my headache."
Doctor: "Are you taking anything?"
Magge: "Yes, extra strength Tylenol."
Doctor: "Keep taking Tylenol."
Me: "What do you think is wrong? Is it dengue?"
The doctor didn't respond and started to get up. Magge and I exchange confused looks.
Me: "Does she have dengue?"
He handed Magge the prescriptions and repeated the instructions to take one in the morning and one at night. We were lead to the cashier, given the medications (and told again to take one in the morning and one at night) and charged $10. We walked out of the clinic, armed with only antihistamines to combat a tropical fever.
Magge's condition soon worsened, but there wasn't much we could do besides keeping her hydrated. After a few rough days, she's now on the mend. If she had deteriorated further, though, the owner of the guesthouse where we are staying said we'd have to go to Bangkok rather than go to Cambodia's other large cities for treatment. As he said, "you picked the wrong country to get sick in."
June 3, 2010
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Wow, so glad Jeff was so vigilant and Mags is on the mend. Take good care, love ya both
ReplyDeleteGetting sick is the downside of traveling. I am sure glad Magge is feeling much better thanks to all who thought of her and Ginette's special help.
ReplyDeleteOnward you go! Love ya, xoxo
As you know there is not much treatment for Dengue. Thanks Jeff. Hang in there Magge. We love you. Do not forget we can help you catch up on good food in Croatia, assuming you can eat whatever and they have whatever.
ReplyDeleteLove you both
You know Magge has come through a lot on this trip- aweful blisters, something wrong with her big toe, sicknesses. When you come back Magge, you'll be one tough cookie! I wish I knew pranic healing to help you get better. Vibes comin' your way ~~~~~~. Love you!
ReplyDeleteKiersten, my love, I have always been one tough cookie ;-)
ReplyDeleteYes, Kiersten, Magge is correct. She was one tough cookie from the first day she shot out of my womb.
ReplyDeleteSorry Jeffrey for not posting. I went swimming with my friend at YMCA and went to Nashville Shores with my other friend(And maybe your saying "thats no exuse!")(well maybe it is)-Poor Maggie!How does It cost 10 dollers for the docter does english cost more there? Do you know the percentege of how many get sick from that?
ReplyDeleteLove you!!!
your little brother thats sorry
That must have been a long swim, Liam! I don't understand your first question - are you asking how it was so cheap? Cambodia is a very poor country and almost everything is cheap there. There wasn't an option to pay more for a doctor with better English. Supposedly the doctor we saw was one of the few in the city that even speaks the language. Healthcare in the country is generally bad. The Khmer Rouge (see Magge's post) killed most of the doctors (and other educated people) and the effects are still being felt.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I read, around 3 billion people in the world are at risk at getting dengue and there are over 30 million cases a year (and that's rising)