Advice I was given while ill/ill advice?

An enormous amount of (well meant?) advice was given to me while ill - some of it entertaining, some of it surprising, but most of all confusing…………..

Various people’s comments in random order followed by my thoughts;

Nurse: Perhaps you should just stop the malaria treatment now if it makes you feel bad
(Not such a good idea if you want to actually get rid of the disease)

Doctor: Drink lots of juice (nice general advice I guess)

Doctor: There is only one type of malaria. Malaria is malaria (Hmm I thought there were at least 4 types)

Doctor: Take these energy shots in the morning and at lunchtime. If you take them at night they will make you very tired (What kind of logic is that now?)

Maid: Drink lots of water (Always a good idea when the temp peaks at 40°c)

Colleague: Eat lots of fruits (Yes okay fruits are said to be healthy)

Doctor: Eat, sleep and rest well (My granny could have told me exactly the same)

Guard: Drink lemon juice after each meal (A pattern of vitamin C is becoming evident)

Friends: Go to Denmark and rest (VERY tempting, but would I come back again and how would I pay for the ticket?)

Doctor: Quinine does not have any side effects apart from a ringing to the ear (I know now by experience that it’s mere poison for the body and should be taken with loads of glucose. The good thing is that it is poisonous enough to kill the parasites)

Friend: Avoid getting bitten by applying lemon juice to your skin (Not very practical I should think)

Doctor: Quinine and Malarone is not the same thing (Even I could have come up with that reply, but it still does not answer my question as to what is the preferred treatment?)

Friend: Eat vitamin B and it keeps the mosquitoes away (And people unfortunately)


Overall, if there is one thing this period taught me it is to trust yourself and take all the advice with a grant of salt. Find a doctor that you feel confident with. It might take a while.