By JACOB LOPEZ
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com
Jacob Lopez
Eric Thomas Duncan, the first person in the U.S. to be diagnosed with Ebola (in the States, anyway) succumbed to the deadly virus this week.
Leading up to his death, news of Duncan’s case gave way to concerns which mounted throughout the nation as anyone exhibiting symptoms that even closely resembled those of Ebola were put under close watch. This was a necessary move given the apparent carelessness of those who were originally given the responsibility of protecting the wellbeing of the rest of the country; in this case, the doctors and staff at the emergency room of Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, and Duncan himself.
What we know right now – at least, the official story is that Ebola is transferred through close contact with the infected person’s bodily fluid. This includes urine, stool, sweat and vomit. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (The CDC, get used to it, because you’re going to be hearing it a lot for a while.) the virus is only contagious after symptoms appear.
When Duncan came to the States, he’d been in contact with a woman who died from the virus. It’s unclear at this point whether Duncan knew he’d been exposed, because the current situation in Liberia means that anyone with so much as a fever — including women suffering from pregnancy-related complications — is turned down, because staff cannot, or does not want to handle those patients.
Four days later, according to reports, he flew back to the U.S. to visit family in Dallas.
Duncan claimed that he hadn’t been exposed, but given his sudden trip to the U.S. shortly after he’d handled the dying woman, there are questions as to how truthful he was about that.
Duncan checked into the emergency room at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas. He complained of abdominal pains and reportedly had a high fever. This is where he should have been more persistent.
Two more royal screw-ups follow:
First, Duncan told a nurse that he’d been in West Africa. Good on him.
This information was put into the hospital’s computer system. Good on her.
But the doctor who attended to Duncan either couldn’t be bothered to scroll down on his patient information screen, or hasn’t learned what Ebola is, simply sent him home with antibiotics. Good job looking out, sir. (Paging Dr. Howard, Dr. Fine, Dr. Howard.)
Duncan, unfortunately, didn’t persist. He was just like, “Okay. Cool,” and decided to go home. Maybe he was in denial, but I would like to think that if I had even the slightest inkling that I had Ebola: 1.) I’d make sure not to visit the people I care about. 2) I’d persist and keep visiting doctors until one is smart enough to know that he may have a patient afflicted with one of the most deadly diseases known to man. Oh yeah, and it’s highly contagious.
For some perspective on just how dangerous Ebola is, think about the fact that Duncan was otherwise healthy when he flew into Dallas. A few days later, he had a fever. Within a week and a half, and under intensive care, he was dead.
Even if the doctor didn’t suspect Ebola, they did a poor job at…well, their job.
The doctor thought it was a low-grade viral infection, according to reports. Unfortunately, antibiotics aren’t used to treat viruses. The CDC (www.cdc.gov/getsmart/campaign-materials/press_kit/Cold-Flu_Season-508.pdf) explains that, “Antibiotics kill bacteria, not viruses,” further stating that, “Tens of millions of antibiotics prescribed in doctor’s offices each year are for viral infections, which cannot effectively be treated with antibiotics.” In fact, it can cause more harm than good, “Taking antibiotics for viral infections will increase the risk of antibiotic resistance.” Man, I know what hospital I’m not going to.
Mark C. Lester, executive VP of Texas Health Resources, which Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital is part of, said, “Regretfully, that information was not fully communicated throughout the full team…”
I’m sure the rest of the U.S. — especially Dallas — appreciated how that little detail went overlooked.
Duncan was also exposed to several others over the course of that weekend, which is crucial, because that’s when he started showing symptoms. Those people are still being monitored for Ebola-like symptoms.
According to eyewitness accounts, Duncan did manage to blow chunks “all over the place” on his way out of the apartment complex when being taken into the ambulance. Given the handling of his situation while he was at the hospital the first time, it really makes you question what precautions were been taken to clean up that mess.
The truth is, I’m not too worried about it yet. It will likely be controlled. Regardless, I’m more upset by how poorly-handled every aspect of this situation was treated.
I just hope my doctor isn’t too busy checking Facebook — or whatever was so distracting in this doctor’s case — if I’m ever in need of urgent medical attention. Of course, I’m much more hopeful that I won’t contract a deadly virus, but that’s another column.
Well, if there’s a silver lining in this whole thing, it’s that doctors may actually pay attention the next time a feverish patient warns that he just flew in from a country decimated by Ebola.
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