I received an email today about a girl in my Hall being rushed to hospital in PE with meningitis, the symptoms of which are a sore throat, persistent headache, light sensitivity, disorientation and nausea. It's a scary thought given how contagious it is, the close proximity of everyone in dining halls and residences and the severity of the condition. But here's the really scary thing: yesterday, I went to the sanatorium complaining of a headache, nausea and disorientation. The nurse didn't give me so much as a glance, let alone checking for swollen glands or a rash (did I mention a girl in my residence has mumps!?). Instead, I got given panado, cough syrup and sinutab. Seriously?

The sanatorium should be helpful and conveniant. After all, it's right behind my residence (Beit). They deal only with students and are well aware of exactly what is going around. But when you walk back (vomiting along the way, might I add) with all the wrong medicine, you start to wonder why you bothered. It would be more worthwhile to go to a doctor, no matter who you had to beg to give you a lift. Thankfully though, my warden is taking it up with Viv de Klerk. It really isn't right though when my sub-warden is checking on me when she herself is feeling ill (having been given panado at the san) but a sister is too ignorant to carry out her job.

Getting an LOA is a whole seperate worry too. With a loud sigh I was given a hastily written excuse for one tutorial I had missed when I didn't get out of bed the whole day except to go to the san. Never mind about missing French and German (both of which are very strict with attendance), I'll just have to deal with the emails that ensue!

Posted by Megs