One hour later Roman wakes up with a sore throat. Over the next four days his sore throat remains constant and a slight fever and headache comes and goes. The children's Motrin I brought with us gives him some relief and reduces the fever but only temporarily. On day four, I decide that a mother's worry must be abated (we ARE in Sub-Saharian Africia)!
Hagirso (our translator and guide) agrees to accompany us to the clinic. We discussed briefly if it would be safe to do so and he calmly stated we could talk with the Physician and decide from there. All my fears (crowed clinic with more germs floating around then we already had, unsterilized needles and long waits) were quickly proven wrong. Hagirso brought us to a clinic on the edge of the city near the medical university.
Yanet Internal Medicine Specialty Higher Clinic is a clean, bright place with marble tile floors, landscaping, nice waiting area and NO wait. It took only three minutes to check Roman in, be seen by the nurse, weighed, measured and temperature taken. We were then immediately brought in the see the Doctor.
Dr. Zinaye was kind, thorough and spoke excellent English. After an exam and consult, he ordered a blood test just to rule out malaria and/or determine the cause of the sore throat. The lab was one door over and again NO wait. The lab technician was professional and all needles were in sealed and sterilized original manufacturing packages. All this for only 100 Birr (30 for the physican and 70 for the lab test). Total $5.25 USD. While this is a very small amount for a doctor visit for us, I'm told it is a lot for the average Ethiopian. Even if they can pay to see the doctor the medicine is most likely too expensive.
Forty minutes later the lab tests were complete. No parasites, no malaria. The Doctor advised it was a bacterial infection causing the sore throat and prescribed Augmentin. The doctor kindly gave me the blood test results so I could email them to my sister, Judy, for verification before beginning the medication. Cost 239 birr - about $10 USD
The Ethiopian calender is different and the age is a typo.
We are happy to report Roman is feeling much much better and is back at the Ping pong table and in the pool.
Safe and healthy in Ethiopia!
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