This blog is LONG overdue. As the last week rolls around its only fitting that I write SOMETHING.
For the last 2 weeks I have to say that many of the patients seen have similar ailments as you would see in the US except probably alot more tineas. However, there has been a few cases thrown in that were interesting.
On one of the days we rounded with the pediatric team, we had a 9 year old boy who came in after having his first time seizure the evening before. Per reports the seizure happened during his sleep. Its funny I got a slightly different story from the boy (I’m thinking the way I phrased my questions probably werent the best). Anyway the going diagnosis was possible benign rolandic epilepsy. It’s the right age group and description but of course without the EEG available it is something that will need more occurrences before a firm diagnosis is made.
In the clinic we also saw an infant with diffuse papular lesions on his face and extremities. The infant was very uncomfortable and scratching. Dr Ramos, one of the pediatricians, called us in to see the infant and asked what we thought. It really looked like maybe a scabies type infestation but more papular. He described it as a papular urticaria seen in response to insect bites. It made so much sense as he pointed out that the lesions were only in the areas that were uncovered when the infant slept. I have seen insect bites but never a reaction so widespread before. It was great to have someone show us things that may not be as prevalent at home.
There is one other case, more unfortunate than anything else but may help any one else who encounters a similar case and don’t know how to proceed. I saw a 12 year old girl in the clinic with her mom. Per mom she had been complaining of vaginal itching, foul odor and ‘bumps’ for about 3 days or so. She did tell mom that she had her first sexual encounter with a 16 or 17 year old boy although he didnt ‘go all the way in’. Turns out she had what appeared to be primary herpes outbreak. At home we would call our Child Assessment team and they would get right on it since the girl is a minor (under 16 here). However I was not sure how the system worked or who to inform and it became somewhat frustrating since I did not know the protocol. However, I got in touch with the Child and Mental Health nurse and the matron who assisted me in the protocol—–in essence you refer the child to the A&E department (Emergency room) where the hospital’s social worker and the assault division of the police department can get all the information and deal with the case. Its imperative to get all that information and sometimes even admit the child for observation to obtain these things because most houses dont have addresses like we do in the US and also most families do not have phones. So for fear of the family disappearing (not intentionally) you may have to admit a child just to get all information sorted and proper treatment.
On a lighter note, we were able to have extra time off this week for Easter (both Good Friday and Easter Monday are holidays). I was able to go Mystic Mountain and try the bobsled rides as well as the zip line…it was fun! If anyone comes for Easter, you can show how much you know about Jamaican culture by mentioning ‘bun and cheese’; this is a tradition that involves eating a ‘bun’ (looks like fruit cake) with cheese in the center for Good Friday. The resort had some as desserts so David, my coworker, was able to try it.
I must say that everyone I have encountered have been so warm and welcoming. I feel I have inherited a new family of sorts with the workers here. It saddens me that I soon have to leave.
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