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drinksumtea-blog · 2 years ago

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A Dreadful Week

By: Aravellah Cervantes

Weak body. Redness of the skin. Vomit. Rashes. One of the many fever-related symptoms I never thought I'd encounter during high school. How would you imagine if you found out you only had a count of 44 platelets left in your body, but you survived? Every time the word 'dengue' appears, it takes me back to the past, still vivid in my mind. Dengue, the fever that made me dread whenever I stopped by the hospital and that I desired would never return.

I recalled that it was July, and the weather was sunny with a mix of chilly air caused by recent rain. A typical day at school except for the afternoon, when a headache suddenly struck me. My mother initially thought it was just an ordinary headache that could be treated with rest and medication. After one day of observation, the headache remained constant, making me significantly weaker and tired, and my temperature remained at 38 °C, and Mom brought me to the hospital. The doctor initially suspected dengue because most patients handled at that time were suffering from the virus. Even the ward where I was confined had all dengue virus patients, with two teenagers in the intensive-care unit (ICU).

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Dengue is a viral infection transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. The primary vectors that transmit the disease are Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and, to a lesser extent, Ae. albopictus. Dengue commonly appears in tropical and subtropical climates, mostly in urban and semi-urban areas. Sometimes it is hard to believe how a tiny insect like a mosquito leeching off human blood could have a tremendous effect on the body.

According to data from the governor's office, there were 9,392 annual dengue cases in the province of Iloilo in 2016. It was designated as the third year in the three-year cycle of the dengue upsurge. The doctor informed my mother that I only have 44 platelets in my body, which means that I'll be prone to bleeding, which could be fatal. Afterward, he advised me to refrain from brushing my teeth and to avoid foods with hues (such as brown and red) that may be mistaken for blood when I have my discharge. I'm still relieved that I did not have a blood transfusion, as this is something I never wanted to undergo.

Several symptoms appeared during my stay, including headaches, rashes, muscle pain, and lethargy. To monitor me, the nurses had to draw blood every six hours. While fighting dengue, I also had a menstrual period and a potassium deficiency, which was undesirable. I've lost my appetite; the soft meal my mother buys for me, and even the hospital ration, aren't helping because I vomit between every bite. I depended primarily on the dextrose drip. My mother was very concerned about me; all I could do was lie in bed, hoping and praying that I would recover quickly. It was my first time experiencing that phenomenon, and maybe the fear and anxiety of thinking that I may be on the verge of life added to my burden. It was pretty frightening because, to this day, there is no cure, only prevention, and alternatives. The doctor advised that because a patient suffering from dengue fever would lose appetite and vomit frequently, especially when ingesting, it is best to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.

I was stressed out every day during my stay, a depressing situation. I can see why some people despise staying much longer. In my case, I had to spend time in the hospital for around ten days due to some circumstances, but I surmounted them all. My body also underwent significant changes. When I finally returned home, it took me at least three days to regain my strength, particularly in my legs, which had been unable to walk due to muscle pain and discomfort impacted by dengue. According to WHO, "Recovery from infection is believed to provide lifelong immunity against that serotype. However, cross-immunity to the other serotypes after recovery is only partial and temporary. Subsequent infections (secondary infection) by other serotypes increase the risk of developing severe dengue" (Dengue and Severe Dengue, 2022). Although I had acquired antibodies from dengue, I am still prone to three more dengue viruses. The more times the virus appears in a person's body, the more dangerous its effect is on the body. Indeed, it was a tough battle.

Dengue fever is still a significant health concern and a threat to humanity. It is globally widespread and appears as a disease outbreak in almost all tropical regions at reasonable times and locations. Getting dengue fever wasn't what I had hoped for during my first two months of high school, but it changed my life. It made me more aware of my surroundings and made me take extra care of my body because I never know what lies ahead. Dengue fever may be different for some people than it was for me, but it is a fever that I would avoid for the entirety of my life. It took a toll on my physical, emotional, and mental health. It gave me a new perspective and made me realize that this virus is no small matter, especially since there remains no cure.

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REFERENCES:

Balita Halin Sa Kapitolyo. (2022, March 3). Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. issued Executive Order No. 190 placing the entire province of Iloilo under Alert Level 5 Kontra Dengue. https://www.facebook.com/100064830275341/posts/pfbid023CsR84X9K9QXxLXfQrZKXZd3rTb6AY4YNjnvvms7CRTgvXVJYiqPhENwZcSWMeQMl/?mibextid=cr9u03

Dengue and severe dengue. (2022, February 14). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dengue-and-severe-dengue

#dengue #denguefever #mosquito #health #academic #awareness

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drinksumtea-blog · 2 years ago

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cute

Title: Klee and the little plushies

Character(s): Klee and most of the Monstade characters (Genshin Impact)

Summary: Klee's best friend is Dodoco! The little guy was on the side of her bag so it would definitely turn heads when she started running around with more plushies hooked to her bag as she searched for the people who looked like the dolls!

Warnings/tags: Fem!reader (but doesn't appear here), sagau as in cult au/god au, no romance just mainly fluff

Klee and the little plushies (here!) Qiqi's plushie delivery Sayu's plushie mission

It was something that many took notice of when they saw Klee, her bag which used to have only Dodoco on the side now had multiple little plushies dangling on it.

Sucrose and Albedo were the first to notice when Klee showed them her bag. Sucrose complimented the girl patting her head while Albedo did the same but also asked who made them? He couldn't think of anyone who would make these plushies really.

"It was from a nice lady who I meet in the Starsnatch cliff! She was busy sewing at the cliff where Klee found her." Klee told him smiling, going to a table she laid her backpack down to look at the plushies. "I saw her sewing a doll and asked her if she could make me one! Instead, she gave me one that already looked just like me!!"

Klee showed the two a small chibi felt doll. With the red hat, dress, backpack, long ears and happy smile on the doll, it looked just like her. Albedo asked if he could take a look at the doll, to which Klee gladly placed it in his hand wanting to show it off.

"It is a really well made doll Klee. What was the lady's name?" Albedo asked, wondering what the appearance was of this person who made such a cute little doll of Klee.

"... She didn't tell me. She just gave me them and when I ask she didn't answer… But she is very nice and pretty!" Klee giggled running towards Albedo and placing another plushie in his hand after rummaging through the keychain plushies.

"Here! She also gave me one that looks like you and Sucrose!"

Albedo looked at the doll surprised, the doll looked just like him. Sucrose was also startled at how similar the small doll look like her when Klee placed it on her hand. "Did we ever meet this person?" Sucrose asked flustered, pushing her glasses closer to her face.

Klee had a moment to think, placing a finger near her mouth as she pondered only to shake her head. "No, I don't think so. I would have remembered her then since she is so pretty!" Klee said glancing at the doll, how could she ever forget someone who made such cute plushies?

Kaeya, Amber, Lisa and Jean were also surprised when they received a doll that looked similar to them. While simplified it was easy to tell who was who and when they asked who made them Klee replied the same answer.

"I don't remember seeing a person the way Klee described in the cliff last time a went there…" Amber said deep in thought, occasionally glancing at the small doll that looked just like her. (With an extra small plush that looked similar to her baron bunny... It was really cute.)

"Are you sure, Amber?" Jean asked in worry as she looked at the doll that looked like her. It was a cute thing really but knowing that Klee didn't know who she got it from made her concerned.

"Don't think about it too much Jean didn't Klee say that Albedo checked it to see if there was anything weird about them? You are being paranoid again, don't worry." Lisa said looking at her little plush with her pointy little hat, the smile on her face showed that she definitely adores it. "But still," Jean said stubbornly.

It was at that point Klee cut in after finding Kaeya's little plush and giving it to him. "The nice lady said it was something she did in her past time! To make plushies! She said she gets inspiration from the people she sees." Klee said cheerfully, "Klee really thinks she is a nice lady~!"

"I say we trust what Klee says. These plush are quite adorable, and what could a person really do with malicious intentions with these things?" Kaeya said, showing off his own plush. The diamond in his eye patch and the eye was quite detailed. "They must have put too much time and effort into them."

"If Jean doesn't want hers, can Klee have it?" Klee asked, placing her hands on her back as she gave Jean a puppy look.

Jean did not get her the plushie tho, sadly.

Fischl, Bennett and Razor were confused when Klee found them only to give them small plushies. “These are for you! They are a gift from a nice lady?” Klee told them grinning happily.

Fischl took her plushie talking about how it is worth as a present for the majestic her, she also commented how adorable Oz was as his plus was attached to hers on another chain.

Razor took one sniff of the plush and nodded, accepting the plushy as his family while Bennett looked genuinely touched as he stared at his asking Klee again and again if this was really a gift to him and if the plush was really him and not someone else that looked like him.

There was a flush on his face so grateful that he received such a heartwarming gift even if he doesn't know who gave it to him.

Klee found Eula with Amber who was chatting about the little plush that Amber had on her vision, a tint of jealousy was on Eula's voice even tho she tried to hide it.

When the two of them heard Klee call quickly Eula snapped her head in the direction of Klee scanning her for a Eula doll. She got her own doll much to her delight, yet could only become flustered when she saw Amber and Klee smiling at her and could only start rambling on about revenge that she must do for this action.

Diona was suspicious when Klee went up to her wondering if it was about the bombs they were talking about when Klee suddenly shoved a plush on Diona's face.

Finding out it was a gift, Diona's face slowly became red as she started to act as if she wasn't satisfied that it was some sort of ingredient to make her drinks disgusting. But Klee can see how tightly the cat girl held the doll, treasuring it a lot.

Diluc similar to Jean was also suspicious, yet unlike Jean, Klee didn't give the doll immediately as she wanted to drill into the man's head that this doll with red hair and a blank stare is cute and no he will not destroy this doll no matter what. He is not allowed to even cut it! Diluc had to make a pinky promise with the little girl that he won't do anything to the doll till she finally gave it to him.

Promise?

Barbara was already waiting for Klee when she finally visited the cathedral. She saw the doll that Jean had and had to get her hands on one till Jean told her that she didn't know who made them. Barbara was just visibly disappointed till Jean told her that (altho a bit hesitant) Klee might have one for her as she did see one that look awfully similar to her.

Barbara gave Klee a huge bear hug as she could finally match her older sister with these adorable-looking dolls!

Rosaria was a bit iffy about them even more so when she found out about the maker being anonymous (placing the key ring on her finger as if she didn't want to touch this thing that looked too much similar to her) yet it was Kaeya who told her that it was okay that there was nothing on the dolls as other than Sucrose and Albedo, Lisa also checked to see nothing wrong with them.

Noelle, Klee bumped outside the cathedral who was carrying multiple boxes. Klee quickly to apologized to her to which Noelle told her it was fine and to be more careful next time.

Noelle was surprised when she was suddenly presented with a small doll that looked like her, she saw everyone had them and thought about how cute they were and wanted to make one for herself she didn't think that she would be receiving one and thank Klee for this cute gift.

Venti was the last person Klee meet under the tree where many fireflies flew. Kaeya told her that he was usually at angel's share yet she asked Diluc he told her he didn't see him today.

So away she went on an adventure or so she thought- who knew the first place she would go to Windrise, on top of the huge tree Venti would be there playing the harp.

"Ah Klee! What brings you here?" Venti joked as he strung his harp. Klee waved up at him under the tree. "Mr.bard! I have been looking for you!"

"Oh? And why do you seek this humble bard? I noticed that you were giving everyone a small present, is there one for me?"

"Hehe, so there was this nice lady who gave Klee this doll! She told me I can keep them so long as I give the other dolls to others. Mr. Bard is the last one!"

Venti hopped down the tree landing gracefully right beside Klee as he looked at the plush that looked like a chibi version of him on her hand. Yet even tho he found it cute he can't help be become rather curious about who made this doll when he saw the invisible elemental traces on it.

It didn't belong to an elemental, a clear white that wasn't like the lightish blue from Cryo. It gave made Venti's heart beat when he looked at it.

He has never seen such a thing yet... it felt familiar somehow...

"Hey, Klee... who did you get this from?" Venti asked his voice almost solemn as he asked Klee who did she get this from yet kept a smile so as to not scare the little girl. "Hmm, a lady at the cliff... she didn't tell me her name..." Klee explained to him the same thing she said to everyone.

"Is something the matter Mr. bard?"

"These... are cute dolls..." Venti said his mind elsewhere as he took the Venti doll from Klee's hands.

"Everyone is worried that the lady might be a mean lady. But Klee knows the lady is very nice!" Klee said with determination.

"The lady must be really nice..." Venti said shaking his head to snap out of it, forcing a smile again. "Tell them that these are something like lucky charms or... something like that." Venti scratched his head "They are like protection charms!"

"Really Mr. bard?" Klee's eyes glitter bright at Venti's words, she already grew so annoyed by how many didnt believe her and questioned the motives of the nice lady.

She really is nice!!

"Why yes!" Venti said, grinning at the child.

"Because they were made by someone who we all wished to see..."

Update Note: Tags are now closed~!

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