A contributor to Exit who has been suffering from a viral infection shares her story as she tried to convince medical services to run tests on her.
I have been suffering from aggravated flu symptoms since Monday and I suspected I may have been infected by Coronavirus.
I followed the protocol provided by the healthcare system: I called the ER, without visiting the hospital or my family doctor in person.
I explained my symptoms: sore throat, coughing, high fever (39.5 degrees Celsius), chills, headache, body aches etc
I explained that last week, I had been in contact with people who had arrived from North Italy, an area bordering the Lodi area, the part of Italy most affected by the virus.
I asked to be tested, as it was likely I was infected, given my symptoms and the contact I’d had.
They did not want to come and instead, they tried to calm me down, advising me to do nothing.
After the first call, I called a second time, and then a third time.- three days in a row. Every time I clearly explained my health condition and the symptoms I was experiencing.
The response of emergency room doctors was terrible and entirely dismissive of my condition and concerns.
Here is a transcript of the third conversation with an emergency room doctor after I had explained that I had had contact with people arriving from Italy and my symptoms resembled those of people infected by the coronavirus:
Doctor: Where are you madam, in Tirana?
Me: Yes, in Tirana.
Doctor: You don’t have the coronavirus, because you don’t have the symptoms.
Me: Excuse me?!
Doctor: What about your husband, who arrived last week from Lombardy, has he had any symptoms?
Me: No
Doctor: Well, then, you don’t have it, or otherwise he would have had symptoms.
Me: Excuse me, but a number of infected people in Italy are asymptomatic, do not manifest any symptoms, but they not only have the virus but also transmit it to other people.
Doctor: First of all, he must have contracted the virus and a minimum of 14 incubation days must have passed before he can be able to transmit it to you.
Me: Excuse me, what do you mean a minimum of 14 days? You mean a maximum of 14 days?
Doctor: No, 14 days must pass in order for him to transmit the virus to you.
Me: Doctor, the incubation period is 2-14 days, even 1-14 days. So, he can transmit the virus even after a single day, while being asymptomatic.
Doctor: No, you’re wrong. How old are you, madam?
Me: 39.
Doctor: Well, then, the coronavirus can’t do anything to you. Stay relaxed.
Me: Doctor, I agree I should be calm, but wouldn’t you advise me to at least isolate myself at home for a few days?
Doctor: Well, now, you should take care of yourself a bit. Stay one meter away from people, if you stay one meter away the coronavirus can’t do anything.
Me: Madam, I also have kidney ache.
Doctor: That doesn’t mean anything. The kidneys have nothing to do with the coronavirus.
Me: What do you mean, they have nothing to do? One of the consequences is precisely kidney infection that, in the worst cases, can be even fatal.
Doctor: Look, you have a UTI, that has caused a feeling of exhaustion.
I could not believe my ears! After three days of flu symptoms and on the fourth one, my kidneys started hurting, likely as a result of the flu. The doctor turned the situation and the diagnosis on its head: I had a kidney infection first and that was what gave me flu symptoms.
I spoke up, reported myself and did what the state had recommended yet no one wanted to come and test me.
They had the gall to say: “well, the Institute of Public Health cannot run tests on everyone as the equipment can only run a limited number of tests.”
I wonder, what about those who arrive from Italy at the airport and do not disclose their health conditions; or fail to disclose where they have travelled to, or who they’ve been in contact with, how are they dealt with, when the state refuses to run tests on and inspect those who self-report?
I hold in extreme contempt pieces of declarations that claim this system, and that hospital and that ministry are on alert and how they invite people to respect the protocol: “call the emergency line if you manifest any symptoms, medical staff will come and take a sample to run tests on you.”
Three times I called with coronavirus symptoms and three times I insisted I undergo tests but they did not care.
Their responses convinced me that their purpose was: dismiss the patient using any justification you can.
Thank God, I am better now. But what does this mean? What if it went differently? With a small child and two elderly parents at home?
They did not tell me anything about isolating myself from contact with others.
