4 ms·

Thanks so much for the excellent comments. You seem familiar with the topic, so a question: How do you convince a doctor to actually check for parasites? Two y

by j-bos 4y ago

Thanks so much for the excellent comments. You seem familiar with the topic, so a question: How do you convince a doctor to actually check for parasites? Two years ago I was bitten by many, many triatomines in a subtropical environment and have recently been seeing symptoms similar to chagas disease, but no doctor I've spoken to is interested in testing for it. I understand it's not an everyday concern, buy the resistance to even try surprises me.

eth0up 4y ago
>How do you convince a doctor to actually check for parasites? Scopolamine and a cattle prod? Actually, if you travelled internationally, it shouldn't take more than a polite request. I sincerely hope your fears are in vain. I know very little of chagas disease, but it seems early treatment is the most effective treatment. If you have it, you've wasted precious time. Hindsight would have you plowing through such resistance and demanding the desired tests as you deserve. Perhaps you were too timid. This is slightly odd, with international travel being about the only thing that would have most American doctors considering parasites. But it's two years after the fact. If I were in such a position, I would resolve to allay my fears and wrest a sure conclusion from the medical bureaucracy. I would take notes of all my symptoms, a chronology of progression, and also adequately inform and prepare myself to hold a compelling dialog with the doctor. Screw their interest. You are the patient and they have responsibilities beyond hurling pills at rote and familiar illnesses. If you test positive, then you may have lawsuit material. If you don't, it may be time to explore other causes or solutions to what ails you, and crucially, you'll have peace of mind about that specific fear. So if you are truly concerned, go demand a test.
eth0up 4y ago
I've been researching triatomines and am learning a bit, most of which is not pleasant. I now realize I've seen and even photographed some species. They are in the US, certainly Florida, Texas and many other states. According to an edu source, it's estimated that only 1% of infections in the US are diagnosed or otherwise accounted for. There's definitely ample credible evidence that the risk is significant and your concerns valid. I thank you for reminding me of this insect and the protozoa it carries. Credible sources claim it too will be posing problems, increasingly. Current policy, unfortunately, isn't considering it yet. The rising presence of the problem coupled with the tendency for initially asymptomatic infections but often inevitable demise of the host should be taken seriously.

by j-bos 4y ago

eth0up 4y ago

>How do you convince a doctor to actually check for parasites? Scopolamine and a cattle prod? Actually, if you travelled internationally, it shouldn't take more than a polite request. I sincerely hope your fears are in vain. I know very little of chagas disease, but it seems early treatment is the most effective treatment. If you have it, you've wasted precious time. Hindsight would have you plowing through such resistance and demanding the desired tests as you deserve. Perhaps you were too timid. This is slightly odd, with international travel being about the only thing that would have most American doctors considering parasites. But it's two years after the fact. If I were in such a position, I would resolve to allay my fears and wrest a sure conclusion from the medical bureaucracy. I would take notes of all my symptoms, a chronology of progression, and also adequately inform and prepare myself to hold a compelling dialog with the doctor. Screw their interest. You are the patient and they have responsibilities beyond hurling pills at rote and familiar illnesses. If you test positive, then you may have lawsuit material. If you don't, it may be time to explore other causes or solutions to what ails you, and crucially, you'll have peace of mind about that specific fear. So if you are truly concerned, go demand a test.

eth0up 4y ago

I've been researching triatomines and am learning a bit, most of which is not pleasant. I now realize I've seen and even photographed some species. They are in the US, certainly Florida, Texas and many other states. According to an edu source, it's estimated that only 1% of infections in the US are diagnosed or otherwise accounted for. There's definitely ample credible evidence that the risk is significant and your concerns valid. I thank you for reminding me of this insect and the protozoa it carries. Credible sources claim it too will be posing problems, increasingly. Current policy, unfortunately, isn't considering it yet. The rising presence of the problem coupled with the tendency for initially asymptomatic infections but often inevitable demise of the host should be taken seriously.