Dengue Fever

So, sadly enough three days after arriving in India, Rudolf contracted Dengue fever. I think probably from the hospital, since it's transmitted by a day fever and since we saw so many kids with it there.

With dengue, you have a very high fever, often severe muscle and joint pain, occasionally mild bleeding in mucous, or in the stool, and generally you just feel like crap. You have to have an IV daily to prevent dehydration, and sometimes you have to get platelet transfusions. Rudolf went home after a week, but his platelets never dropped low enough to need transfusions. He probably should have stayed at the hospital because of his fever, but it was very expensive, so he just went every day for an IV and blood work. Still, it was 300 dollars a day apparently. Now, of course we all have travellers insurance, but I'm pretty sure you have to pay out of pocket and file the claim later. In which case, being sick abroad makes everything very difficult and inconvenient. Seems like I need to read up on it, and if you're planning on travelling a good amount any time soon, you should too!!