Tincanfireman
Airfield Operations
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Got a phone call this afternoon from the EMS director at my part-time agency. Seems that a patient I treated/transported last Friday came back as a positive for H1N1A; yup, I'm now a part of the whole national swine flu pandemic story. I had to go to talk to the doc at our workman's comp place, then get a prescription for Tamiflu. I have to take the medicine 1x per day x 5 days, just in case. The good news is that I'm currently asymptomatic for everything and they told me not to worry as long as I stay that way. The doctor told me since I have a healthy immune system I shouldn't have any problems. The pt. has multiple issues and an extensive hx and is essentially bedridden due to severe autism and contractions. He was feverish and dehydrated, so we had to lift him onto the cot because he couldn't walk due to his current condition. My partner started the line and rode the call, but my face was right next to his getting him on the cot (sigh). The fact I am fine after four days w/o any meds is a very good sign that I don't have anything to worry about. It was the first confirmed exposure at my EMS employer. Lucky me... =) Oh yeah, the patient? Currently on a ventilator in ICU. I have to give big kudos to my director; as soon as he received the notification he dropped everything and devoted the afternoon to making sure my partner and I were seen, treated and got our meds. OK, before anyone asks; yes, we transported the pt on a NRB @ 12LPM because he had absolutely cruddy lung sounds. We applied the mask almost immediately upon entering the room. No, I wasn't thinking H1N1, but I will next time I run into a patient with similar symptoms. Live and learn...
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