After five days of on and off again fever spikes, I took Smallsteps to a clinic to be checked out by a doctor, at the behest of my wife more than any real need. Smallsteps has a lot of experience with hospitals, nurses and doctors, so this doesn't scare or phase her. She was even prepared for the pain of the needle - if she needed one.
Because there are "flu symptoms", we had to enter the clinic using a side entrance and into a makeshift area where disinfectant and masks became compulsory. The nurse asked some questions quickly and we were seen by the doctor, who wasn't a children's specialist, but was friendly enough that Smallsteps was comfortable. After a few questions asking things like, "have we traveled internationally" the doctor suggested we test for infection and then asked me if I wanted her tested for Corona.
I found this strange, but assumed that he didn't suspect she had it, but also that many people demand testing. I said that while I don't think it is necessary considering the discomfort, if he thinks it is necessary, than we will get it done. What came next made me laugh,
"Do you have insurance?"
Yes.
"Ok, Let's test for corona"
This was a private clinic - so we have to pay for the appointment and it is very expensive, unlike the public side which would be free - but we would have to wait unless an emergency situation. Having insurance means that we only pay about 10% of the costs. Now, while it sounds like they are trying to get extra money and perhaps in some regards they are, the real reason for the testing is that if tested (and negative), Smallsteps will then be able to be treated on the other side of the wall where there are children's doctors. Without the test, she won't be seen.
Now, I am largely skeptical of the whole Corona pandemic claims and the severity of it for many reasons, but I also don't want to have the healthcare of my daughter compromised due to it. One of the "saving graces" we have had is that we took health insurance for her before she was born and while it didn't cover everything, a lot of the stuff it did cover meant that we were able to get to specialists who were actually keen to take the time to help her. I don't like the idea of private health insurance, but this is the world we live in - one where good healthcare isn't guaranteed.
When it comes to me, I will roll the dice and take my chances with the public side - but my daughter doesn't have to for at least some of these things. Don't get me wrong, the public healthcare in Finland is good and better than most places in the world most likely and when we have had to use it it is always okay, but it still has its limitations. One good thing is that most private specialists spend time in public clinics and hospitals also in Finland. I don't know if there is a law that says they must, but at least the ones I know do.
Once the doctor moved us toward the lab for testing, it got a little funny - as the nurse set up all of the blood test equipment, but rather than use a needle, she decided to use a prick testing method and "harvest" the blood drop by drop, because it hurt less. Smallsteps was okay with the idea and let out a tear at the prick, but wasn't overly comfortable with the long process of collection. While this was happening, she was watching the drops of blood being scraped into a tube and I asked her which method she preferred - "Daddy, I like the needle better" :D There is something to be said about short acute pain compared to drawn out discomfort - Smallsteps is definitely the "rip the bandaid off fast" kind of person.
The corona test was a slightly different story as she didn't know what to expect. The test is a flexible cotton swab that scrapes the nasal passage and it is uncomfortable and weird - which Smallsteps attests is correct. She hated it, even though it was very fast, but like normal, she thanked the nurse as we left and now we will wait til Monday to get the results.
We already got the blood test results back (took 2 hours) and she has markers for an infection of some kind, but that was already known and it is likely in her throat. The doctor isn't overly concerned. It is interesting - I know quite a few doctors well - none of them seem to be overly concerned about Corona - but they are all forced to go through the processes.
Anyway, this afternoon is the first evening all week where Smallsteps' temperature didn't go up, so I am hoping that tomorrow she will be back to normal. She is the most wonderful sick kid you could imagine, so we are pretty lucky in that regard, but it will be good to have her get back into her life routines again and not have to monitor her throughout the nights. I haven't slept more than 3 hours in a row since last Friday night - perhaps tonight.
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]
This seems to be coming out more in America also, with a lot of doctors trying to question the reasoning. What I find fascinating about the whole thing is that as far as I know there has never been a vaccine successfully created for any corona type virus, we do after all still have the common cold, a corona type virus. When I was looking on line the other day one of the health sites said that SARS, (a corona type virus), just went away.
Source: Google Search Their Source statement:For informational purposes only. Consult your local medical authority for advice.Sources: Mayo Clinic and others.
Glad to see that she is doing better, it sucks to be sick, and sucks even more when it is a child or a loved one who is suffering.
I think what doctors are questioning is the possible political bias involved since many studies now have proven that Hydroxychloroquine, zinc and arithmizin has been proven successful in treating the disease in the primary to secondary stages and why a medication with a proven track record of safety over decades isn't being release to the general public for use as a prophylactic especially considering that there are a few countries who are not being infected as bad and that is a direct result of the use of Hydroxychloroquine against Malaria, many of these countries citizens are on hydroxychloroquine to prevent Malaria infection, including children and infants. Doctors here are now claiming that we could be rid of this virus within as early as thirty days if those other than people with heart problems were prescribed or allowed to buy it over the counter for use as a prophylactic. It actually use to be sold here over the counter until they realized it stopped Malaria therefore it had a constant stream of monetary value. In some countries it is still sold over the counter. Early on I would imagine all these doctors who hadn't had a whole lot of experience with the drug didn't question the caution, it's been months now and for many of them there is no doubt it works in the early to mid stages successfully and as a prophylactic.
I wonder how long that remains in a human body, and if perhaps that could be why I have not gotten sick from the virus. I am after all in the number one group to get the virus, age, health, and recent diminished lung capacity from surgery.
Thanks for both responses.
!ENGAGE 25
I was curious so I went and looked....
Azithromycin will be in your system for around 15.5 days, after the last dose.
Azithromycin has an elimination half-life of 68 hours. The prolonged terminal half-life is thought to be due to extensive uptake and subsequent release of drug from tissues.
It takes around 5.5 x elimination half life's for a medicine to be out of your system. Therefore it would take 374 hours about 15.5 days (5.5 x 68 hours) for it to be eliminated from the system. So it'll be in your system for that period of time, after the last dose.
Other factors to consider:
https://www.drugs.com/pro/azithromycin-tablets.html
So I guess I have just so far been lucky in not getting sick from covid19. hopefully that luck will hold.
I surely hope so....I just hate it when you become accustom to seeing certain names for years then all of a sudden they disappear, makes you wonder for quite a while whatever happened to them. In times like these thinking the covid got them makes it all the more worrisome.
I just keep saying to myself whatever I am doing I must be doing it right because I've managed to still be here six months later....lol.
it does make one wonder sometimes what happened to a person, like the individual that ran the dPet Community. @kona. One day we may learn I hope they are alright.
ENGAGEtokens.Isn't it weird that it just "disappears" ?
I am obviously not a virologist :D
Yeah, I guess it mutated or something, that could be why they have such a hard time making a vaccine, by the time it is usable, the virus has changed and no longer as bad or completely gone.
Corona doesn't act like influenza, it attaches to cell receptors using what is called a spike protein, different corona viruses have different shapes in their spike proteins, some aren't as harmful as others. Figuring how to keep it from attaching is what the problem is as there are many different cells throughout the body that it has proven to be successful at attaching to and spreading, this is why it's so deadly and complicated finding a way to neutralize it as the virus has so many different means to attaching itself throughout the body to many different cells and why there is so many different ailments associated with it.
It depends on it's transmission rate, every virus has one, if the transmission rate is low or they are able to contain the spread by cutting off it's ability to transmit then it disappears. With this virus the transmission rate is high coupled with the fact that China withheld information of the outbreak allowed it to flourish beyond any reasonable attempts to contain it. The first SARS and MERS had low transmission rates which enabled them to track and contain the virus.
!ENGAGE 10
ENGAGEtokens.got insurance? No, no private insurance for us.
As you said, we have a decent public health care system. But, in instances like you mentioned where you want immediate attention, it is tricky to wait in line. Specially, when all health care professionals are bound by health protocols it is always rationale to follow them.
Stay safe.
Ra
We have been in and out of hospitals since she was born, so it has actually helped us.
Hope you are well.
We are staying tight. Following all protocols and staged reopening processes. I a specially worried about the day care option and how the government will handle that. Let's see what they have stored for us.
!ENGAGE 10
ENGAGEtokens.Oh man, we feel for that brave little one. Glad that the fever has decided to take a hike.
We work on a Medical Aid system here and it's expensive, but nobody want to go to a public hospital, so we have to dock up three quarters of my monthly income for membership of a Medical Aid!
I think, or at least we hope that the Covid test will return negative, but let's wait and see.
One wonders how many negative people they test.
A lot.
Like I thought and a great way to make some money!
So sad!
Not really. Much more money is saved if clusters of transmission are caught early.
Yeah, you also make a good point as it is so essential to get it early.
But let me justify my sceptism by saying that we live in a country where corruption reigns and even Covid relief funds are stolen.
So obviously I will be keeping my eye on the money factor.
Btw. If you are the Mark of curangel, I just want to thank you for the curangel votes that we often get.
I'm not.
Apologies!
Yep, it is crazy in various parts of the world and there are extremes. In my opinion, there shouldn't really be a need for private healthcare in this day and age, but here we are.
Many, many - this is a huge money spinner for some, while everyone else suffers.
Well, I know it's laughable, but they have been trying to institute a general healthcare in this country for the past few years. Titled the NHI (National Health Insurance), the idea is to open all of the hospitals and the private ones for the general public.
Some formidable opposition to this idea have emerged.
Should you wish to know how the private healthcare business is doing, just have a look at their multimillion headqaurters in the cities.
The wealthy live very well in this country as in that post of mine yesterday, we saw that the annual fee to moor a yacht or other boats in that harbor costs R300,000.
That's almost double my annual salary hahaha.
In the meantime poor people build one room tin shacks for themselves and their families for R1000 and the children go hungry to bed every night. Thankfully many schools run feeding schemes for their learners!
!ENGAGE 10
Thank you kindly @tarazkp
ENGAGEtokens.Thank you kindly @tarazkp
Oh she takes this with so much strenght. I really do hope she will be ok. It must not be easy for you to watch her go through all of this. Your daughter is so powerful, I am so impressed by her attitude.
Getting the best healthcare is always good. I can imagine it must be expensive, but for smallsteps it is worth it.
I am also skeptical in regards to Corona.
I wish you to sleep well, getting rest is important.
All of my good thoughts for the little one😊
!ENGAGE 10
It has got easier - while she was having her blood taken, we were talking about her next visit in a few weeks just after her birthday for asthma blood tests. It has been this way since her birth for several things and she seems to take it all in stride - I am not sure if that is what she should be getting accustomed to though.
Have a nice weekend :)
There's blood tests for asthma? Think my daughter will be glad that she had to do the breathing one, she hates blood tests XD
Hope small is feeling better today :)
Oh asthma... I wish her good luck!
Have a great weekend yourself as well!
I'll drop some virtual cherry for small 🍒
!ENGAGE 10
ENGAGEtokens.@smallsteps is a little fighter! Wonder why the nurse thought that was a better idea to squish the pricked finger xD That seems silly approach. Really hope she doesn't have it.
Even though it might not be as dangerous in Northern countries as per advertised, it still does quite a damage. My family members are still not fully back to 100% and experience fatigue, and issues with breathing even though it's been couple of months after.
Hugs
I think they do it this way because the little veins can sometimes be hard to find. As the doctor said, the young kids with it have had very mild symptoms. For Smallsteps, it is her asthma that is the worry with this - but I think that she will be okay.
:*
!ENGAGE 10
ENGAGEtokens.I have a little boy around the same age, he also has his health ups a downs. It has been heart breaking at times to have to hold him down for doctors to inject him but I'm impressed by how fast he forgives me. During the lockdown he had a bike accident which resulted in a nasty cut. I cleaned it as best I could but finally after a few days I needed professional advice incase it was infected. I must admit the two of us were more scared of going to the hospital than the cut itself.
Wishing your little girl a speedy recovery.
Yeah, it is a terrible process for the parents, but the kids seem to understand it is meant for their best. The worst for me in regard to the injections, was the first day after she was born in intensive care watching them put the drip in her head about 10 times, as it kept falling out. I have wondered if she will be affected by those weeks, even if she doesn't remember them. The worst moment in my life might have been when she had seizures when just under 2 years and I held her unrecognizable in my arms waiting for the ambulance. It was horrible and I hope she never has another recurrence.
Parenting can suck - but it is also so awesome :)
My son also suffered from seizures, luckily they seemed to be associated with high temperatures and he hopefully has grown out of them, touch wood. I remember reading your posts about them at the same time I was experiencing the same. I was alone with him during two and they were the longest minutes of my life, fumbling for my phone and trying to nurse him was agony.
Understatement of the year.
!ENGAGE 30
ENGAGEtokens.I think in all countries, or at least most, doctors ask first whether the patient has insurance or not. Here in Venezuela, you even have to wait for the insurance to enable a key to be attended to, so if it's an emergency, you die. Furthermore, some clinics have been reported here that can increase the cost of treatments and operations, if there is insurance involved. It's ugly to say, but some clinics play at "taking advantage" of diseases. It's good that Smallsteps is getting better! I hope you can get some rest. Greetings
I think this is the case in most countries in this regard, with the worst being the US perhaps.
Healthcare isn't a a universal provision yet, while people spend a lot of time and money worrying about skin color and sexual orientation.
!ENGAGE 10
ENGAGEtokens.Do not hesitate to take any opportunity to rest. A lot depends on good sleep. See you soon on the pages of Hive
Rest is something that I seem to do standing lately :)
I hope your daughter is up and feeling well real soon.
Thanks, she is still having fever spikes, so will see what the next week brings.
I am just hoping she gets well soon. This is one hell of a battle I was combating some months back. I hardly sleep with my mom issue. But for sure, at the end we all shall be happy over their sound health.
Dont panic, she will be fine.
I am not sure if I should question this further :D
Hopefully it's nothing brother.
Will keep your little girl in mind while meditating tonight. <3
Cheers - yeah, it is a weird one at the moment - fever is up and down all over the place.
wishing your little one a fast recovery brother. <3
Public healthcare systems are quite good in many European countries, but it has longer waiting lines. I use both, as I also have a private health insurance. It may sound strange for some people but to me, health is on top of my priorities, especially for my son. I pay my taxes for public health, and I pay my private insurance too, I prefer to have the right to decide which doctor if I do not feel confident with the one assigned to me in the public health system. The system as a whole is quite good, but not every professional is great and for my family health, I want to be able to choose the best if I can, even if the best means just the same doctor but a few days earlier.
We use both also - depending on the needs in the moment. Finland is pretty good overall - but Corona has also screwed up a lot of the process.
options matter a fair bit and i think it is normal to pay more for quick response. If it wasn't paid, everyone would expect quick response regardless of need.
I feel she is getting better already.
Small steps is really a strong child. I am still kind of scared of needle till now
Still ill, but doesn't seem to slow her down much.
I wish her speedy recovery... if she is still having a fever you could try tepid sponging every now and then.
I don't like when kids are ill. I couldn't stand my paediatrics posting. Ill children everywhere, I always wanted them to be fine andd leave the hospital.
ENGAGEtokens.Congratulations @tarazkp! You have completed the following achievement on the Hive blockchain and have been rewarded with new badge(s) :
You can view your badges on your board And compare to others on the Ranking
If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word
STOPTo support your work, I also upvoted your post!
Do not miss the last post from @hivebuzz:
I don't have insurance but goona do one for times like these hope your daughter gets well soon