Erin got sick alarmingly quickly yesterday. The night before, she could hardly sleep from joint aches and, by yesterday morning she had a sore throat. She became noticeably sicker at noon and, by 6 p.m. I bought a new thermometer and checked her temperature: 39.4'C (102'F). That's when we called Telehealth Ontario. The nurse on duty was very professional, took down Erin's symptoms, and suggested a visit to the hospital, to be on the safe side.
This was a good plan. At the hospital, Erin's fever spiked, apparently reaching 41'C (105'F) at one point, before the nurses gave her ice packs and an acetaminophen injection to bring the fever down. The verdict: Erin has strep throat, bronchitis AND tonsillitis. Actually, the tests haven't come back yet, but they can see the tonsillitis, they can hear the bronchitis, and the symptoms make them pretty sure of the strep throat. Rather than wait for the results, they gave us a prescription for penicillin and sent us home. We managed to find a Shoppers Drug Mart that was open until midnight. The penicillin has to be taken with food, and I should have lots of Tylenol on hand in order to keep the fever down. If Erin's temperature goes above 40'C again, go back to the hospital (the fever is holding steady at 38.9'C).
The nurses say that she should be better in four or five days. Well, this about ruin's Erin's week. Still, thank God for our medical system. We received quick and professional care within an hour, and the cost was nothing. Nada. Zilch. Thank you, St. Mary's. You really don't appreciate your hospitals until you need them.
For the record, George Bush probably didn't say this, but doesn't it just sound like him?: "The problem with the French, is that they don't have a word for entrepreneur."
Added at 4:56 p.m.: Erin is sleeping comfortably in front of the air conditioning. Her temperature is now below 38'C. Her throat is sore and she has no voice, but she seems to be doing better.