Skip to content

Untreated strep throat results in return to hospital, and lengthy stay

Dear editor,

I don’t usually write letters in the local newspaper, but I feel this time the people that live in the Comox Valley need to know from my experience and treatment when entering St. Joseph’s General Hospital Emergency Department in Comox for treatment.

It was Sunday, June 1, 6:30 p.m. I was taken to St. Joseph’s General Hospital Emergency Department as I was not feeling well.

I had a fever, sore throat, sore ears etc.

After two and a half hours, I saw a doctor, who said to me, “I will take a swab but we don’t treat adults with strep throat. It just runs it course, go home and rest it off.”

On Tuesday, June 3, I woke up to discover the left side of my face was three times it should be and was on fire. My husband took me to my family doctor and was instructed to go to back to St. Joseph’s General Hospital; she called in and told them I was on my way and to start various medical testing.

I was put in a semi-private room, and eventually I was moved to the overflow area.

The next morning my doctor called disease control to advise my systems and discovered I had erysipelas, which is part of a strep throat virus. Perhaps if I was originally treated for strep throat I would not have had to go through what I went through.

I layed there on a cot for four days before being moved  to the first floor. After a week in hospital I was released  and returned daily for IV medication.

I would like to thank Dr. Hunter, Dr. Matous and their wonderful staff, along with the fantastic Health Care Workers at St. Joseph’s General Hospital for your wonderful support during my stay.

 

 

Gloria Rickson

Comox Valley