From Dr. Frank McGeorge: I ran into a couple local doctors who explained a few cultural elements which helped make sense of the medical complaints I was hearing. Many people complained to me of ‘fever,’ Of course, when I checked there was none. And when I inquired about usual suspects like cough, trouble urinating, abdominal pain, etc. the answers were usually benign and vague.
Turns out, ‘fever’ really just means they don’t feel well for the usual reasons people don’t. Of course, after a disaster, there certainly are more reasons than usual to not feel well. The point is, I clearly misunderstand the translation of ‘fever.’
Local doctors further explained the fever is so ingrained in their culture that, because amoxicillin is available over the counter, most people take it for anything that ails them.
That includes every thing from pain, related to musculo-skeletal problems to a headache. Apparently, paracetemol and ibuprofen are available, but many people believe amoxicillin will help more. Of course it’s a real problem, if someone gets otitis media (ear infection), they have to go right to amoxicillin- clavulanate or something even broader because of drug resistance.
Point is, just like we make a point of differentiating vertigo from a complaint of dizziness, the term fever has to be clarified.
There was another uncommon fascination on the part of locals over blood pressure. I’m not talking about 50-year-old or older, I’m talking about teens and young adults.
There was another uncommon fascination on the part of locals over blood pressure. I’m not talking about 50-year-olds or older, I’m talking about teens and young adults.
As a doctor with scrubs and a stethoscope, I was fairly conspicuous and attracted attention. But the minute I took out the blood pressure cuff I was literally mobbed. If I wasn’t terribly busy, I usually indulged people and checked it for them. I found, as expected, the blood pressure of young adults in Haiti fell between 100 over 60 and 120 over 80; which is normal.
The greatest feeling of running a clinic in this circumstance is clearly just the ability to help and share. I saw many patients in follow up because I was there for several days, and got to know them as a primary care doctor would.
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