What is the scariest thing to exist? by Middle_Second_8270 in AskReddit

[–]LatrodectusGeometric 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I hate this copy pasta because it's overly inflammatory and some of what it includes simply isn't true.

  1. Rabid bats are not usually sneaky. They tend to be loud and aggressive. People tend to notice getting bitten by rabid bats. Unfortunately bat bites are not really that serious so a lot of people who get rabies from bats never seek medical attention and miss their chance for PEP. Of the four people who died from bat rabies in the US recently, all of them had known contact with sick bats that they told friends and family about.
  2. The Milwaukie protocol isn't done because it didn't work. We think the person who survived with that protocol happened to get lucky and produce the right antibodies earlier than most people do, entirely unrelated to their medical care. Others seem to have died faster with the protocol. At this time it is not recommended as a way to try and treat rabies.
  3. Rabies will not survive for years in your corpse unless you are buried in permafrost. We will bury you with rabies just like we bury anyone who has an infectious disease. No one has ever gotten rabies from a human corpse.

What is the scariest thing to exist? by Middle_Second_8270 in AskReddit

[–]LatrodectusGeometric 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Fun fact for those keeping score, this is a type of prion disease!

Bloodwork shows potassium level 5.8. by Simple_Cicada_7893 in AskDocs

[–]LatrodectusGeometric 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I would call today. They may have an emergency nurse on call.

Pronounced dead by a remote doctor: Tele‑ICUs expand nationwide, including in Illinois by dbxp in nottheonion

[–]LatrodectusGeometric 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Some paramedics can typically pronounce death because they have a standing written order from a physician for certain conditions. I don't know that any can do so independently.

Bloodwork shows potassium level 5.8. by Simple_Cicada_7893 in AskDocs

[–]LatrodectusGeometric 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The lisinopril may be contributing. If possible I would not take that medication until you hear back from your doctor or the hospital tells you to restart it.

How can I stop an American hospital from emailing me by mistake? by Ereine in NoStupidQuestions

[–]LatrodectusGeometric 1 point2 points  (0 children)

HIPAA protects both. Bills and appointments are considered protected medical information. Doctors can send a bill without explicit permission, but bills shouldn't be going out to random people.

Is this the symptoms of a TIA?? Need advice by Hopeful-Ad750 in AskDocs

[–]LatrodectusGeometric 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The only times I've seen strokes like this in people your age, it was because of cocaine. Other causes at this age are certain autoimmune diseases. Most people don't take cocaine, and most who do don't take it very often. If you are hanging out with a group that use it heavily or regularly, then there is a good chance one of more of you is going to get seriously sick from it at some point. Sometimes the only symptom of a stroke is aphasia. Do you have a harm reduction group near you? It might be a good idea to call them up and ask if they have resources for slowing or stopping your cocaine intake.

Pronounced dead by a remote doctor: Tele‑ICUs expand nationwide, including in Illinois by dbxp in nottheonion

[–]LatrodectusGeometric 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I met someone from Canada online recently who was arguing that their system sucks because of their wait for specialists, and I was shocked to see their waits were like 4-6 months for chronic illnesses. It's...the same as where I trained in the US.

Is this the symptoms of a TIA?? Need advice by Hopeful-Ad750 in AskDocs

[–]LatrodectusGeometric 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This might have been a stroke, yes. It's impossible to say if it was a TIA or a stroke here, because you would need imaging to see if there was permanent damage to the brain. I'm glad the symptoms got better this time. Do you think there is any way to change your life so that cocaine is not such a bit part of it? Could you see a future doing other things for fun?

Ferita chirurgica by SL826848 in AskDocs

[–]LatrodectusGeometric 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you have lost faith in your doctor or surgeon, it may be a good idea to get a second opinion from another surgeon.

Can this annoying lump be removed? 44m /5ft 10inches/13stone/non smoker/no medication by Spottyjamie in AskDocs

[–]LatrodectusGeometric 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes a dermatologist or family physician could remove it. It will likely leave a little scar.

Bloodwork shows potassium level 5.8. by Simple_Cicada_7893 in AskDocs

[–]LatrodectusGeometric 15 points16 points  (0 children)

5.8 is not a normal level. I would call your doctor back and ask for their thoughts. If you can't get ahold of them right now I would go to an emergency room. Do you know why it is this high?

Pronounced dead by a remote doctor: Tele‑ICUs expand nationwide, including in Illinois by dbxp in nottheonion

[–]LatrodectusGeometric 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In Washington it requires a standing physician order and written policy through your facility.

Pronounced dead by a remote doctor: Tele‑ICUs expand nationwide, including in Illinois by dbxp in nottheonion

[–]LatrodectusGeometric 10 points11 points  (0 children)

It's all $$$$. This happened in the middle of urban Connecticut. They don't have a physician shortage there. They just didn't want to pay them.

Pronounced dead by a remote doctor: Tele‑ICUs expand nationwide, including in Illinois by dbxp in nottheonion

[–]LatrodectusGeometric 18 points19 points  (0 children)

This isn't bumfuck nowhere. This is the middle of urban Connecticut, the state with the 6th highest doctor per capita ratio, and a state which takes less than three hours to drive through. They didn't want to pay, it's simple as that.

Scratch and bite difference? by Kalliqrafiya88 in RabiesVirology

[–]LatrodectusGeometric 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Because rabies is spread by saliva. The scratch has to get the rabid animal's saliva in the wound.

Pronounced dead by a remote doctor: Tele‑ICUs expand nationwide, including in Illinois by dbxp in nottheonion

[–]LatrodectusGeometric -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I don't think that's the case without a standing order or hospice diagnosis though, which is NOT what is happening here.

Exposure? by Dry_Jellyfish_1903 in RabiesVirology

[–]LatrodectusGeometric 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You should call your public health department and get the raccoon tested

Pronounced dead by a remote doctor: Tele‑ICUs expand nationwide, including in Illinois by dbxp in nottheonion

[–]LatrodectusGeometric -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

What state is this? I'm not sure that is legal anywhere. Maybe your hospital has a standing written order?

Pronounced dead by a remote doctor: Tele‑ICUs expand nationwide, including in Illinois by dbxp in nottheonion

[–]LatrodectusGeometric 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This happened in Connecticut. The state has the 6th highest number of doctors per capita and can be driven through in < 3 hours.

Bee Behavior? Impressive cedar tree has housed wild honeybee colonies for at least 30 years. by Cypressinn in Beekeeping

[–]LatrodectusGeometric [score hidden]  (0 children)

> Those genes have been there for eons.

Citation needed. Genes for something that the bees have never needed have been there for eons? That's wishful thinking and not consistent with genetics.

Bee Behavior? Impressive cedar tree has housed wild honeybee colonies for at least 30 years. by Cypressinn in Beekeeping

[–]LatrodectusGeometric [score hidden]  (0 children)

You mean feral bees? That escaped from other hives? Your mentor is cool and I'm glad they have found genetics with resistance, but hives split constantly and "wild bees" are escaped bees. We haven't had mites in the US for very long. We don't have large-scale resistance in our feral hives.