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Original poster

Does DH need medical attention, Africa?

35 replies

Ghanasick · 05/07/2019 08:43

DH is one of those stoic, won't even take a paracetamol for a headache types.
We're on holiday in West Africa.

Srarted yesterday evening. He couldn't manage dinner, or leaving the room. Still feels rotten this morning.

Symptoms are headache, bloating, lethargy, going hot then cold, he's burping a lot, no D&V.

If we were home I'd be leaving him in bed to sleep but out here I'm worried. We're taking anti malarials but I think it's too soon for that? We have been bitten a lot. We've been very careful with food and drink.

2 days left here in the capital before we head somewhere more remote, does he need a doctor? Don't want to overreact but I'm nervous being in the tropics Sad

OP posts:
sandgrown · 05/07/2019 08:47

I think he should see a doctor while there is one available .

crustycrab · 05/07/2019 09:05

He needs a doctor. Could be any number of things, hopefully nothing serious but if it's a parasite or something like that then not worth the risk

LadyBrienneofTarth · 05/07/2019 09:08

Yes doctor

I travel a lot so aware of the dynamics

If he's normally stoic and now not, that's very telling

Get doctor now

XXcstatic · 05/07/2019 09:12

GP here: fever with gastrointestinal upset (even without D&V at this stage) should see a doctor, especially if you're heading somewhere remote. It's probably not anything exotic like malaria- more likely giardia or another gastrointestinal bug, but still worth getting him checked over.

Original poster
Ghanasick · 05/07/2019 09:15

I think you're all right. He's woken and says his stomach is sore on top of the other symptoms, and everything is worse when he moves. I guess it might turn into D&V but don't really want to risk it.

I guess I speak to insurance first and talk to the hotel to see where we should go, don't like not really knowing what to do Sad

OP posts:
GreenTulips · 05/07/2019 09:18

That all gall bladder infection

XXcstatic · 05/07/2019 10:22

Definitely get him seen if he has abdo pain on moving. The insurance company's medical helpline should be able to advise on the best hospital locally.

Original poster
Ghanasick · 05/07/2019 12:18

I've opened an insurance claim and have a hospital address 10 mins away - only approved one in the whole country. Just letting him sleep now. It's turned into diarrhoea so he thinks it's just something he's eaten and is back being stoic but I'd prefer to get him checked...

Thanks for the advice, it's lonely so far away when you don't know what to do Flowers

OP posts:
Nogodsnomasters · 05/07/2019 12:33

Best to get checked out while the option is there rather than take the risk of it getting worse when you travel to the remote place. I hope he feels better soon.

OneThreadOnly0101 · 05/07/2019 12:46

Trouble is, "just something he's eaten" could be some nasty parasite so I'd be inclined to doctor it before he gets worse. The rate at which fluids can fly out of you (in all directions) is quite horrifying. I had awful food poisoning in Cuba. The main event was a fairly short lived 12-18 hours but my stomach was mess for a good 4 days after.

What antimalarials are you on out of interest? On the two occasions I've taken malarone, by about day 4 or 5 I've had terrible stomach cramps and serious toilet dramas - as in, if I'd woken up two seconds later I would've pooed in my tent BlushBlush I won't take it any more.

OneThreadOnly0101 · 05/07/2019 12:51

I also had a weird turn in Jordan which was either sunstroke or beginning of food poisoning. I had an IV of fluids and anti-emetics at the local clinic and it was a like a miracle, so it's also worth seeing a doc in case they can miracle cure him too.

Original poster
Ghanasick · 05/07/2019 12:54

One - he had a terrible episode in Cuba too actually! Since then we've always carried rehydration sachets at least. Yes thats the anti malarial we're taking, I got stomach cramps on day 1 but ok since then. I've been a little loose today but I'm a nervous stomach sort of person and always think myself ill. Swear were going to stick to a nice holiday to Norfolk after this where nothing's trying to kill you!

OP posts:
Original poster
Ghanasick · 05/07/2019 12:55

(Cross post... saying that Jordan is on my list!)

OP posts:
OneThreadOnly0101 · 05/07/2019 12:59

Jordan is fantastic. Definitely leave it on the list - just wear a hat if you're spending 6 hours at exposed ruins in the middle of the day... Blush

Hope he feels better soon and it isn't anything too dramatic.

Nautiloid · 05/07/2019 13:05

Are the burps eggy smelling? If so could be giardiasis, common in many parts of Ghana. IF it is, and I'm no doctor but have spent extended periods in Ghana, he'll need medication ideally, probably metronidazole but again don't rely on me on that. Head to the hospital.

Original poster
Ghanasick · 05/07/2019 13:15

Thank you Nautiloid! That convinced him to go as they are truly disgusting. Will let you know how we get on

OP posts:
Nogodsnomasters · 05/07/2019 16:13

How'd it go op?

Original poster
Ghanasick · 05/07/2019 16:20

Still here, just turned on my roaming for a bit. He's on a drip and they've taken bloods, he struggled with the stool sample (TMI sorry!) so havent got any answers yet but he looks a bit better after getting some fluids in him. Very nice hospital btw!

OP posts:
Mooey89 · 05/07/2019 16:24

All those symptoms sound like when I had a particularly bad gallbladder flair up

LadyBrienneofTarth · 05/07/2019 18:51

Glad you're in the right place to get the right sort of help

Hang in there - you sound like a wonderfully caring partner

Original poster
Ghanasick · 05/07/2019 18:59

Nautiloid was spot on, down to the drugs required! He's had antibiotics and enough tablets to take away to keep him rattling for a while. Just waiting for last bags of fluid to finish then time to see what the damage is going to be done to the credit card...

Hopefully that'll be him fixed ready for safari in a couple of days!

I'm scared I'm going to get it now though - bit of a hyperchondriac... and pretty terrified of eating anything as we were being very careful and this still happened Sad

OP posts:
MrsMozartMkII · 05/07/2019 19:00

Hope he's very better soon!

Whoopstheregomyinsides · 05/07/2019 19:01

Hope he gets on ok. I’m glad you went

Nautiloid · 05/07/2019 19:17

Ah I'm glad you went. Horrible illness but it does get better quickly with the meds. He might get random stomach pain for a few months but maybe not as you treated it so fast. Enjoy the rest of your holiday x

Nautiloid · 05/07/2019 19:24

I got it 15 years ago, I'd been eating peanuts that day and I've literally never eaten a peanut or peanut product since. 😂

Hope it wasn't too expensive.

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