Testimony: Healing

So far I have had 5 explosive diarrhea episodes with severe stomachache in the last 24 hours.
I was having body aches and fever this morning too. According to Bro Ben last bs session, 70% of illnesses are psychosomatic. Yet no matter how I try to mentally convince myself that I was ok my stomach just wouldn't listen to my brain. And I dun want to be sick during this examination period cuz with or without a medical certificate (MC) I'll have to re-sit the papers next semester.I that happens I won't be able to graduate this year and qualify to start my pre-registration training. In short, if I can't take my exams now I'll have to wait for one year doing nothing at all. Yes, maybe some part-time worker drawing a wage of an A level student.

Moreover, Luis is having dengue fever right now and he had the same symptoms as me. Many people at PGP are down wtih dengue too and I have this other pharmacy classmate called SueHuey who is hospitalised at NUH right now. What really worried me was that I had been bitten by lots of mosquitoes in the last week. It got so bad I started fumigating my bedroom with insecticide but didn't seem to reduce the mosquito population at all. Sigh. But I seriously do not want to have dengue. And I hate seeing doctors. I think I act like a stubborn old lady. So Mum said if I do not get any better after tomorrow's exam I cannot escape the fate of seeing a doctor like I did today. Based on my experience, I'll have to do a blood test if things dun look up. (More on dengue at the end of this article).

Anyhow, I thank God for strength as I forced myself to go for the exam this morning after taking 2 anarax tablets for my fever and body aches. It was hard for me to concentrate on the questions when my stomach was threatening to do a diarrhea on me the whole time. And I was so physically exhausted from all the diarrhea. But I pulled through and I'm just believing God for a miracle for my paper. I haven't been able to study for my paper tomorrow as I collapsed on my bed in total exhaustion from another explosive diarrhea episode after returning home today. I slept the whole time. Yet before I try to do some revision now for tomorrow's paper, I want to thank God for sustaining me today. I have to graduate this semester...

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Dengue fever




















Alternative names
O'nyong-nyong fever; Dengue-like disease; Breakbone fever

Definition
Dengue fever is a viral illness transmitted by mosquitoes. It is characterized by fever, rash, and muscle and joint pains. See also Dengue hemorrhagic fever.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Dengue fever is caused by several related viruses (four different arboviruses). It is transmitted by the bite of mosquitoes, most commonly Aedes aegypti, found in tropic and subtropic regions. This includes portions of Southeast Asia, the Indonesian archipelago into northeastern Australia, parts of sub-Saharan Africa, and parts of South and Central America.

Dengue fever begins with sudden onset of a high fever, often to 104-105 degrees Fahrenheit, headache, and slightly later the appearance of severe joint and muscle pains.

A flat, red rash may appear over most of the body early during the fever. A second rash, measles-like in appearance, appears later in the disease. Infected people may have increased skin sensitivity and are very uncomfortable.

Dengue fever is being seen more in world travelers. It is generally self-limited and although uncomfortable is not fatal. Diagnosis may depend on a traveler telling his or her doctor of any visits to areas of the world where dengue fever is known to occur.

Dengue fever should not be confused with Dengue hemorrhagic fever, which is a separate disease and frequently fatal.

Symptoms
fever
rashes
muscle aches (myalgia)
joint aches (arthralgia)
headache
nausea
vomiting
enlarged lymph nodes

Signs and tests
CBC (shows mildly increased white blood cells, decreased platelets, and increase in hematocrit)
acute and convalescent serum (measures an increase in antibody titer for dengue virus types)
serologic studies (demonstrates antibodies to dengue viruses, may be type-specific)
Treatment Return to top

Rehydration is necessary if dehydration is evident. The high fever can be treated with acetaminophen (avoid aspirin).

Expectations (prognosis)
Full recovery is expected.

Complications
febrile convulsions
severe dehydration

Calling your health care provider
Call your health care provider if you have been traveling in an area where dengue fever is known to occur and have developed symptoms suggested above.

Prevention
There is no vaccine currently available for dengue fever. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), research is underway for the development of a vaccine. However, the prediction is that there will not be a vaccine available for 5 to 10 years.

Using personal protection (clothing, mosquito repellent, netting, etc.) and traveling during periods of minimal mosquito activity can be helpful. Mosquito abatement programs may reduce the risk of infection, but vaccination is the only sure method of prevention.