WHAT TO DO WHEN UNSURE OF SUMPTOMS or you suspect having the bug.
There are probably several ways to deal with this when you have questionable symptoms but here are three choices provided by LM Physicians that address our County's, La Huerta, protocol.
LA HUERTA PUBLIC HEALTH
DO THE FOLLOWING per our LM clinic physician, Dr. Diego Alvarez who is working with La Huerta:.
If you have just ONE of these three symptoms:
-Dry Cough
-Fever
-Or Headache
{which may or may not be accompanied by nausea, diarrhea, runny nose, or sore throat}
- CALL LA HUERTA . Stay home. Do not come to the clinic. CALL LA HUERTA
315 152 2664 or 357 384 0034
{save these numbers}.
The hospital in La Huerta will find an English speaking person to take your information. Be a patient potential patient. Or have a translator.
-Besides asking you for your symptoms and contact information, you will be asked if you have been traveling outside Mexico or if you have had contact with an infected person.
-Your information will be relayed to Dr. Alvarez here at LM Clinic.
-Dr. Alvarez will then call you to tell you what you need to do; anything from how to care for yourself at home, or request that you come in to see him for a check up, or that you need to be tested in the Cihuatlan Emergency Clinic/Hospital. You will need to get yourself there taking all precautions to not spread the potential infection.
-If you test positive, you may be sent home. Or Cihuatlan and/or La Huerta may decide that you need hospitalization especially if you are having trouble breathing.
The Counties will send you to a designated hospital in either La Huerta, Autlan, or Manzanillo. They make the decision but you may be able to negotiate.
{Earlier there was a question about Mexican citizens being sent to public hospitals and foreigners being sent to private ones. When I called Echauri Hospital in Manzanillo, they said they would send anyone to Manzanillo Public Hospital #11. Perhaps this will be clarified as cases are dealt with and availability of beds are determined. Also, I just saw on the news that Mexican residents would be able to go to private hospitals. What about the cost and who pays? Public hospital services, I believe, are covered)
-What to take to a hospital; masks, personal contact information and identification, existing illnesses and medication lists. Do not take extra clothing or personal hygiene items as these will be supplied along with meals and medications. Basically, you take just yourself.
You are not to take a companion as required in, normal time, public hospitalizations. Companions are never required in the private hospitals but it is a pay for service situation..
Special designated ambulances and trained crews are the only ambulances and personnel that are authorized to take patients needing assistence to hospitals. If you are ambulatory, you may need to get yourself to a hospital. I couldn't get a definite answer on this.
Dr. Alvarez Clinic Schedule
9 - 3 pm
Monday through Friday
315 351 5117
Dr. Alvarez will be available 24/7 to LA HUERTA to receive direction on any potential virus infection case in La Manzanilla.
If you are told to stay home, they will be calling daily on your status, so you'll need to have a phone or way that they can communicate with you.
Dr. Alvarez will cover your medical needs.
________________________________________________
Choice #2
Or you can call or e-mail Dr. Gabriella (Gaby) Vasquez. Dr. Gaby will come to your residence to diagnose for Covid-19 {no test, these are only done in the hospitals} and then, if you want, treat your symptoms with hydration, different alternative type treatments, or western medicine, etc. She will go to you because she does not want anyone on the street potentially spreading the infection.
If it is determined that you are probably infected, it will be reported and you will will have to go and be tested in Cihuatlan. Dr. Gaby's services are private for pay.
If you are positive, Cihuatlan and/or La Huerta will determine if hospitalization is needed, and if so, which hospital you will be sent to. Normally, hospitalization is only used when a person has difficulty breathing. Should you be sent home, Dr. Gaby is available to treat you at home for your symptoms.
Dr. Gabriela Vasquez
Lazaro Cardenas #15
331 426 3273
pontomedicgg@gmail.com
Dr. Gaby's office hours vary.
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Choice # 3
Information given by both Dr. Martha Aceves of the Pharmacy on Calle Asencion by the Jardin and Dr. Miguel Rodriguez, office on Calle Asencion, next to and south of Las Cabanas Restaurant,
They said to call the Guadalajara Hotline for information and/or Corona Virus testing. This is PCR Radar Guadalajara, that can direct you to virus testing if your particular symptoms, travel information, or contact with an infected individual calls for it. Should they determine that you need testing, they will make arrangements and you will be directed to a hospital. Then you go from there.
Be sure to always carry ID, contact information, and existing disease and medications list.
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The above information is the best that I could get for now. We all know, or should know, that information in Mexico is like quick silver. It is illusive. You may get it but then maybe not depending on the source and day of the week, etc. Or it changes the next day. I literally had to sift and try to untangle conflicting information. But then again, what agency or office has been through a corona virus pandemic.
Hopefully it gives one a little something to go by, just in case, now that we have entered phase 3 of the epidemic in Mexico and a rapid rising number of infected people. Perhaps our little corner of Mexico and the world will be spared but then again, maybe not.
Oh, the PCR Radar Guadalajara Hotline reports many cases of dengue and that it makes it harder and confusing for people to identify what they have because the symptoms overlap. Oh, Boy. Cruz
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Be sure to visit www.lamanzanilla.info for more information about La Manzanilla Mexico.