Looks like I have a kidney infection. Nothing particularly newsworthy about that other than the rather surreal experience of visiting my GP surgery.
It started with a phone call to make an appointment. I was firmly told the surgery was out of bounds and I would be telephoned by a nurse the following morning. The purpose of this was a triage conversation with a nurse.
First thing yesterday, the phone rang. It was the nurse.
Me: ”I’m thinking I might have a kidney infection, or at least a possibility”
Nurse: ”What makes you say that?”
Me: ”I feel cold all of the time, often shivery. My kidneys are very uncomfortable, particularly in the afternoons and at night. It’s been like this for a few days now”.
Nurse: ”Oh, afternoon and night time” she said in a way that sounded significant and went on “what about your urine, what’s that like at the moment?”
Me: ”My urine is clear, not cloudy as it has been when I’ve had infections before. I have used a dipstick which shows I have raised leukocytes but no blood”. I explained how I have reduced kidney function as I didn’t know whether the nurse knew anything about me or not.
Nurse: ”Oh that shows you might have an infection. You probably need some antibiotics and I’ll get the Doctor to sign this through to the Pharmacy this morning. Can you drop off a urine sample before 12? If you can, we will send it off for testing straight away”
And so I turned up at the surgery. That was such a bizzare, surreal sight. Firstly, the car parking had plenty of empty spaces; I’ve never known that before. Secondly, there were lots of loud, assertive signs outside. DO NOT ENTER followed by PRESS THE DOORBELL AND WAIT WHERE YOU ARE.
A member of staff appeared and opened the door a couple of inches. She was dressed in an apron, a face mask, a special looking hat and from the little glimpse of her eyes, I’d say she was stressed out.
Me: ”I’ve brought in a urine sample” as I held out the little Ikea ziplock bag containing the little sample bottle.
Her arm, with a gloved hand, stretched out and quickly took it from me, immediately stepping back. As did I.
”Who requested it?” She asked, peering at the label on the bottle inside the bag.
Me: ”The nurse requested it, earlier this morning”
”Very well, bye”
The door slammed shut. No pleasantries. A glimpse of the Coronavirus realities in day to day life.
Footnote: just taken my third antibiotic tablet. Starting to feel better. Thankfully I respond well to antibiotics.