------Program code: NS-081201-04617 (what's this?)
Source: CCTV.com
12-01-2008 11:26
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This is the AIDS ward at Kunming’s No. 3 People’s hospital. On an afternoon in June 2000, the hospital staff was busy working when suddenly, an HIV patient started experiencing respiratory failure and needed help.
It was a serious situation. Dr Qi Yanwei, the doctor on duty, started to treat the patient when something happened.
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The blood filled sputum came out of the patient’s mouth and onto the doctor.
Qi Yanwei was exposed to the HIV virus. Coming in contact like this made it more likely that he would become infected unless he took viral blockers within two hours. But the drugs only slow down the infection, Dr Qi came into full contact with the patient’s blood, and this increased his chance of infection.
Though the Ministry of Health had already established a set of protective measures, in times of emergencies these measures were ineffective.
Doctors who come in contact with body fluids of HIV patients are at an especially high risk of getting infected. Yet, 12 years ago, Qi volunteered to work in the hospital’s HIV ward soon after he graduated.
Reality is cruel. At that time, little was known about AIDS.
Though we still don’t know how HIV leads to death, we know it’s infectious and incurable. AIDS doctors have to be careful, not only for themselves, but also their families.
Qi didn’t tell his parents about his work. It was only when his mother discovered his books on HIV and that he gave his clothes to patients did she realized what he was doing.
Qi didn’t take his mother seriously. He thought he was just lucky to have the chance to be an HIV surgeon so soon after he graduated.
He strongly believed that nothing would ever happen. Will the viral blockers work and kill the HIV virus?
He has to take viral blockers for 28 days. 42 days later he can get his blood checked to see if he’s infected. The waiting period was difficult for Qi.
Qi had a strong reaction to the drugs. He would vomit and couldn’t eat anything. The physical pain made him question what he was doing and why.
Editor:Yang
