Into the fire...

By 11 pm on Thursday evening, it was clear that my best attempts at self-medication were not going to be sufficient. I had spent the rest of the afternoon (after my return from the useless doctor's appointment) curled up shivering in my bed. I was too cold to do anything else, but I couldn't breathe well enough to fall asleep, which is what I desperately wanted. Every time I swallowed, it felt like knives in the back of my throat. I finally called the US consulate, told them about my experience that afternoon, and asked them to recommend a hospital. They recommended Hong Kong Adventist Hospital, and I packed myself up and took a taxi there, arriving around midnight.

They could not have been nicer; it was like a whole different experience. Of course, they are a private hospital, so it behoves them to have good customer service. Anyway, I arrived with quite a high fever, and the on call doctor and nurse couldn't believe that the previous doctor hadn't given me anything. They did an endotracheal wash (so not fun), sent it to the lab, and determined that I was positive for the Influenza B virus. That meant that I had to be admitted in isolation, and everyone who came into my room had to use barrier protection. I thought this was a little ridiculous, but there you go.

I finally got to lie down in my hospital bed. I had two nurses sticking needles into my arms at the same time (one for blood, the other for my IV catheter), but I didn't care I was so happy to be lying down. They started me on IV antibiotics, NSAIDS, tamiflu, pain meds, decongestants, and a sleeping aid. I felt much better even by the next morning, and spent most of my time sleeping, just because I could. Of course, that wasn't easy with someone coming in about every 15 minutes to do one thing or another, whether give me a medication, take my temperature and blood pressure (which was never abnormal to begin with), change the IV bag, record my ins and outs, change the bed, change the water, empty the trash, etc... Everyone was super nice, just there a lot.

I was discharged after 36 hours in the hospital and I feel like a new person. I still have a sore throat and productive cough and am somewhat lethargic, but I can deal with that. I will finish my tamiflu and antibiotics (augmentin, ironically the antibiotic of choice for cat bites), and also have a cough suppressant and pain medication. I have been in Hong Kong for 8 days now, but have only been a healthy, functioning person for 3 1/2 of them. Such a bummer. But at least I contrived to get the flu in a country with great medical care.

It's the Chinese new year today and tomorrow. Hopefully I can get out and enjoy it :)