'Modern' medicine

So...

I had strep and did not know it.

Which meant that I exposed my co-workers, Erin and his children and everyone I came in contact with to strep.

Here’s what happened.

I was very sick Monday the 19 of February. I called off. By Thursday, I was so bad I could barley swallow – since I know I am prone to strep – due to my own childhood experiences with it (I was so sick once I was quarantined) – I called off again and made an appt to see the docs and told the staff that I thought I had strep.

I was seen, and my ‘rapid strep culture’ came back negative. It was then sent out for overnight confirmation (24HR testing). Meanwhile because our clinic is so ‘booked’ I had to be seen in pediatrics – um...well OK no problem. The pediatrician gave me antibiotics but told me not to take them until Sunday and only if I felt no better.

Went into work Friday – I KNOW I was feverish – hung out with Erin and the kids that night – probably still sick. On Saturday I began the course of antibiotics.

Last night as I was leaving my house to go meet Erin and the kids for dinner at his place I got a call from the clinic:

Nurse: C - ?
Me: Yes?
Her: We’ve been trying to reach you all week?
Me: Um...OK
Her: Your strep test came back positive
(long pregnant pause – me thinking WTF??)
Me: Well I got no msg (now here I have to say that after this I found out our voicemail at the home phone is full but read on….)
Her: Well we’ve been trying to tell you all week – but the doctor said not to worry cause what she gave you would have taken care of it’
Me: (*sounding pissed*) yeah well that would be fine and dandy my dear except per THE DOCTOR I didn’t even begin taking the antibiotic right away...And hey, can I ask you something? You DO KNOW that I work at the main location of the clinic downtown, right?
Her: Um...
Me: I mean that IS in my file like everywhere plus I KNOW the doctor in question knew this because she asked me what kind of work I do down there...
Her: Um...
Me: So let me ask you something else – where are you during day-time hours – at home OR AT WORK?????
Her: (*silence*)
Me: (*obviously really angry*) yeah well you might want to pass on to the doctor that I’ve exposed a bunch of people to this – including the possibility of immuno-suppressed patients...


FUCKING IDIOTS!!!!

And I don’t mean to be going off on the messenger but WHAT.THE.FUCK.???

Yeah so hopefully this course of antibiotics will work – I may need to be seen again and if so you’d better believe I am going to raise hell.