Dabbling with Dengue

I should mention before I go any further that those of you who do not want to read about gastrointestinal illness should skip this post.

Right, those of you following my trip will notice I have not posted anything for a short while. The reason for this is there are no power points in the toilets and so I was unable to use my computer. (I'll disinfect the computer thoroughly before returning it dad). I was at work the other day, feeling fine, when I was suddenly struck by an unmistakable feeling. It was the sort of feeling that says "you have 10 seconds to find a toilet". I won't go into too much detail but what occurred ten and a half seconds later was one of the most explosive episodes of what we clinicians refer to as runny bum it has ever been my misfortune to experience (and I've been to Africa!) Between mid morning and mid afternoon I had another 25 or so similar episodes.
During this time I managed to drink about 4 liters of water which I hoped would compensate for my fluid loss. Not so. As I got up to go home, very grateful I didn't have to fly anywhere in the helicopter that day, I inspired a look of fascination and fear in my colleagues. I was told afterwards they could literally see the colour drain from my face. I couldn't tell because my vision was narrowing and my ears were ringing. I didn't actually pass out, but I certainly went very wobbly and lay own very quickly. Either way it was a poor time to vomit, but vomit I did.

It was decided I should be admitted to our hospital for the night. For the clinically minded I must have been fairly dehydrated because my blood pressure had dropped by 40mmHg and my resting pulse was 110bpm. Blood was taken for testing, and IV drip was put in and I received 3000mls of fluid overnight as well as Maxalon AND Ondanzatron (anti vomit drugs).

During the night I had a fever, which along with the dehydration and the doxycycline I'm taking to avoid malaria made for some amazing dreams. actually couldn't tell when I was dreaming and when I was awake. At one point I must have dreamt I had an episode of the squirts in bed then woke without realising it. I was so embarrassed I got up to change my sheets and then couldn't find the mess. The nurse thought I was totally nuts when she came in.

The blood tests showed I had an exposure to Dengue Fever. This doesn't mean I really had it, but I'd been infected with enough of the virus (transmitted by Mozzies much like Malaria) that I had produced antibodies and some symptoms. True Dengue also produces a bright red rash, excruciating pain behind the eyes and in all the skeletal muscles, hence its WW2 names Break-bone fever and bonecrusher fever.

By morning it was largely over and I was sent back to the hotel to rest and drink lots of water. I came to the Solomons to sample as much as I could but this was one experience too many.